What Arizona law says
Arizona’s Condominium Act lets a unit owner make interior improvements that do not impair the building’s structural integrity or mechanical systems. Changing the exterior appearance of a unit or common elements requires the association’s written permission. A 2024 amendment addresses interior changes that may disturb neighboring units when the owner installs materials to reduce that disturbance. See A.R.S. 33-1221. Your declaration and rules add more detail.
Documents to read first
- CC&Rs and the declaration: what is your unit and what is common element.
- Architectural or alteration rules and the application form.
- Flooring and sound requirements.
- Contractor rules: insurance certificates, work hours, elevator use, parking.
- Any rules about water shut-offs and notices to neighbors.
Questions to ask the association or manager
- Do you need to approve interior-only work? How long does review take?
- Which walls are structural or fire-rated?
- Where do shared drain and vent stacks run?
- What are the requirements for hard flooring underlayment?
- How do contractors reserve elevators, loading areas and dumpsters?
Design choices that suit condos
- Keep wet areas near existing stacks to avoid long drain runs.
- Use sound-rated underlayment under hard floors.
- Plan storage carefully. Condos often trade square footage for location.
- Use compact, quiet appliances and ventilation that meets building rules.
- Light, consistent finishes make smaller spaces feel open.
Permits
City permits still apply inside condos. In Scottsdale, moving walls and adding plumbing or electrical needs permits, while cabinets, counters, flooring and interior painting do not. See our permit guide.
Scheduling
Quiet hours and elevator availability can slow material deliveries and demolition. Building these limits into the schedule from the start keeps expectations realistic.