Phoenix Pergola FAQ

It depends on the design. The City of Phoenix requires drawings and a permit for attached patio covers, and its exempt-work list covers detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet, naming ramadas and gazebos. Pergolas aren't named in either document, so we confirm with the City of Phoenix whether your pergola needs a permit.

Aluminum holds up to sun with the least upkeep, wood gives the warmest look but needs restaining, and a louvered roof lets you switch between open sky and full shade. We show you all three when we measure.

Once materials are in, most pergolas go up in a few days. Footings need time to cure before the frame goes on, and louvered roof systems are often made to order, which adds lead time first.

A pergola built with proper footings and post anchors is designed to stay put. We size footings and connections for the structure and don't rely on the weight of the frame alone.

Backyards across the City of Phoenix, including Alhambra, Windsor Square, the Melrose District, Cheery Lynn, Tatum Ranch and Estrella.

A pergola has an open roof of rafters or louvers, so some sun and sky come through. A patio cover has a solid roof. The City of Phoenix publishes a separate residential patio cover guideline for attached covers.

Many HOAs review structures that can be seen from the street or over a wall. We give you the drawings, dimensions and colors to submit before we schedule the build.

Yes. Arizona law requires contacting Arizona 811 before digging, and we request locates before any footing goes in.

Often, yes. Whether posts can sit on the slab or need new footings depends on the slab and the pergola's size, and we check it when we measure.