Structural engineering · Scottsdale, AZ
Structural Engineering Services in Scottsdale, AZ
Connect with engineering firms serving Scottsdale and the greater Valley of the Sun. Common work runs from load-bearing wall removals and room additions to casitas, outdoor living structures and more.
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Local code & loads
Scottsdale building code & ASCE 7 design loads
Scottsdale enforces the 2021 Scottsdale Building Code, based on the 2021 IBC. Stamped calculations submitted for permit reference the design parameters below.
Values shown for reference only — project-specific values from the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool should be used for engineering design at the actual project address.
ASCE 7 design parameters
Default values used for most residential and light-commercial projects in Scottsdale. Site Class and seismic spectral values may shift based on geotechnical investigation.
| Building code | 2021 Scottsdale Building Code, based on the 2021 IBC |
|---|---|
| ASCE 7 edition | ASCE 7-22 |
| Seismic Sₛ | 0.19g |
| Seismic S₁ | 0.06g |
| Site class | Default |
| SᴅS | 0.2g |
| Sᴅ₁ | 0.11g |
| Seismic Design Category | B |
| Ultimate wind speed | 102 mph |
| Ground snow load | 0 psf |
Risk Category II assumed for typical residential and light commercial use — confirm with your engineer if the occupancy or use may require a higher category.
Scottsdale is low-seismic, with most sites in Seismic Design Category B, so wind and soils govern design more than earthquakes do. Maricopa County's 115 mph design wind covers monsoon microbursts and dust storms. Expansive clay, caliche, and collapsible soils on the desert plateau and alluvial fringes shape foundation design. The values below are regional placeholders only. Always pull site-specific values from the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool (https://ascehazardtool.org) for the actual project address.
Common projects engineers design in Scottsdale
The work engineers handle frequently in Scottsdale and the surrounding Maricopa County.
- Load-bearing wall removals and open-concept remodels
- Custom home structural design and framing packages
- Room additions and second-story additions
- Detached casitas and guest houses
- Outdoor living structures, ramadas, and pergolas
- Foundation design over expansive and caliche soils
- Pool structures and retaining walls
- Rooftop solar array structural verification
What's different about Scottsdale
Local conditions that affect structural design
City-specific factors that show up in many Scottsdale calculations — and the things plan reviewers look for.
Permits
Where to submit your Scottsdale permit
Stamped calculations from clearspan are submitted directly to the City of Scottsdale Planning & Development Services. Most residential structural submittals are reviewed online.
Building department
City of Scottsdale Planning & Development Services
7447 E Indian School Road, Suite 300, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 312-2500
Submittal notes
Scottsdale runs its own One Stop Shop for permits and enforces the Scottsdale Building Code. Code editions vary between valley cities, so a project near a city line may follow different rules than its neighbors. Confirm which jurisdiction covers the project address before submitting.
FAQ
Structural engineering in Scottsdale — FAQs
The questions Scottsdale contractors and homeowners ask most often.
Do I need an engineer to remove a wall in my Scottsdale home?+
Do outdoor living structures in Scottsdale need engineering?+
How quickly can I get stamped calculations for a Scottsdale permit?+
Nearby cities
Structural engineers in other Phoenix Metro cities
Browse city pages for nearby jurisdictions.
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