Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Pima County, Arizona

Quick Answer: Structured cabling installations in Pima County typically do not require a dedicated low voltage permit. However, contractors must hold an Arizona ROC C-67 or CR-67 license for projects over $1,000 in labor and materials. Electrical permits may be required for new circuit installations or power-over-ethernet (PoE) infrastructure.

When Are Permits Required?

Structured cabling projects fall into these categories:

Generally No Permit Required

• Data cable installation (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a)
• Fiber optic cable runs
• Voice cabling and telephone systems
• Patch panel and rack installations
• Cable pathway installation (J-hooks, cable tray)
• Wireless access point cabling

Permits May Be Required

• Electrical permits - For new circuits powering network equipment
• Building permits - For penetrations through fire-rated assemblies
• Fire stops - Required for cable penetrations in fire barriers
• Tenant improvement - Cabling often included in TI permit scope
• New construction - Typically covered under general building permit

Arizona Contractor Licensing Requirements

Structured cabling installation requires proper Arizona ROC licensing:

Applicable License Classifications

Classification	Type	Experience Required	Scope
C-67	Commercial	2 years	Commercial projects only
R-67	Residential	2 years	Residential projects only
CR-67	Dual	2 years	Both commercial and residential

C-67/CR-67 Authorized Work

The Low Voltage Communication Systems classification authorizes:

• Data and network cabling (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7)
• Fiber optic cable installation
• Telephone and voice systems
• Sound and paging systems
• Television and video systems
• Wireless access point infrastructure
• Low voltage signaling devices

Licensing Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 2 years in the trade
• Exams: Low Voltage Exam plus Arizona Statutes and Rules Training (SRE)
• Bond: $9,000 (R-67) to $15,000 (C-67/CR-67)
• Background check: Required for qualifying party

When Licensing is Mandatory

An ROC license is required when:

• Labor and materials exceed $1,000, OR
• A permit is required, regardless of project value

Right-of-Way Limitations

The CR-67 license alone is NOT sufficient for utility conduit, conductor, or MAG spec restoration work in public right-of-way. Additional licensing may be required for outside plant work.

For complete licensing information, see our Arizona Low Voltage Contractor License Guide.

Industry Standards Compliance

TIA/EIA Standards

All structured cabling installations should comply with current TIA standards:

• ANSI/TIA-568.1-E - Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling (2020)
• ANSI/TIA-568.2-D - Balanced Twisted-Pair Telecommunications Cabling
• ANSI/TIA-568.3-D - Optical Fiber Cabling and Components
• ANSI/TIA-606-C - Administration Standard for Commercial Telecommunications
• ANSI/TIA-607-D - Generic Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding

Arizona State Standards

Per Arizona state standards:

• All materials must be UL listed or equivalent
• Fiber optic strands must be tested prior to installation
• Testing must verify strands are continuous and match specifications
• Plenum-rated cables required in air handling spaces

BICSI Standards

• BICSI TDMM - Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual
• BICSI ITSIMM - Information Technology Systems Installation Methods Manual

Pima County Permitting Process

Contact Information

• Phone: (520) 724-9000
• Online Portal: pima.gov/Permits
• Address: 201 N. Stone Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701
• Hours: 8 AM - 4 PM Monday through Friday

Current Codes (Effective January 1, 2026)

• 2024 International Building Code
• 2023 National Electrical Code
• 2024 International Fire Code

When to Verify Requirements

Contact Pima County Development Services before starting work if:

• Project involves fire-rated wall or floor penetrations
• New electrical circuits are needed for network equipment
• Work is part of larger tenant improvement project
• Installation in new construction

Fees and Timeline

Fee Type	Amount	Notes
Low Voltage Work	Generally none	No dedicated LV permit
Electrical Permit (if needed)	$50-$200	For new circuit installations
TI Permit (if applicable)	$200-$500+	Based on project value
Processing Time	1-5 business days	Simple permits often same-day

Residential vs. Commercial Installations

Residential Structured Cabling

• R-67 or CR-67 license acceptable
• Rarely requires permits for data/voice cabling
• Smart home infrastructure (data, audio, video)
• Home office network installations
• Consider future-proofing with conduit

Commercial Structured Cabling

• C-67 or CR-67 license required
• Often included in tenant improvement permits
• Data center installations may require additional review
• BICSI certification often preferred by clients
• Testing and documentation more rigorous

Cable Types and Applications

Copper Cabling

Category	Max Speed	Max Distance	Common Use
Cat5e	1 Gbps	100m	Legacy, voice
Cat6	10 Gbps (55m)	100m	Standard commercial
Cat6a	10 Gbps	100m	High performance, PoE++
Cat7	10 Gbps	100m	Data centers, shielded

Fiber Optic Cabling

• Single-mode (OS2) - Long distance, high bandwidth backbone
• Multimode OM3 - 10 Gbps to 300m
• Multimode OM4 - 10 Gbps to 400m, 100 Gbps to 150m
• Multimode OM5 - Optimized for wavelength division multiplexing

Pro Tips from Experienced Contractors

• Plan for Arizona heat - Attic and exterior runs require temperature-rated cables
• Use plenum cable - Required in air handling spaces, common in commercial
• Document everything - As-built drawings and test results expected by clients
• Test all cables - Certification testing required for warranty compliance
• Consider PoE requirements - Cat6a recommended for PoE++ applications
• Label properly - TIA-606 labeling standards for professional installations
• Coordinate with other trades - Avoid conflicts with electrical, HVAC, and plumbing
• Future-proof - Install more capacity than currently needed

Testing and Certification

Required Testing

• Continuity testing - Verify all conductors are connected properly
• Wire map testing - Confirm correct pin-to-pin connections
• Length testing - Ensure within TIA distance specifications

Certification Testing (Recommended)

• Insertion loss - Signal attenuation over cable length
• Return loss - Signal reflection at connections
• NEXT - Near-end crosstalk
• FEXT - Far-end crosstalk
• OTDR testing - For fiber optic installations

Common Project Scenarios

Scenario 1: Small Office

Installing 12-24 data drops with patch panel and rack. No permit typically required, CR-67 license needed. 1-2 day installation.

Scenario 2: Retail Build-Out

Data and voice cabling for new tenant space. Included in tenant improvement permit, coordinate with GC.

Scenario 3: Data Center

High-density fiber and copper infrastructure. Requires detailed planning, testing documentation, and coordination with electrical contractor for power.

Scenario 4: Warehouse

Wireless access point cabling and backbone connections. Consider environmental factors and cable protection in industrial setting.

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when structured cabling projects hit permits in Pima County before they reach bid boards?

LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Arizona and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.

→ Explore LVN Signal

Related Permit Guides

• Arizona Low Voltage Contractor License Guide
• Pima County Security Camera Permit Requirements
• Pima County Access Control Permit Requirements
• Browse All Permit Guides

Summary

Structured cabling installations in Pima County have minimal permitting requirements:

• No dedicated low voltage permit for data/voice cabling
• ROC C-67 or CR-67 license required for projects over $1,000
• Electrical permits only when installing new power circuits
• TIA/EIA standards compliance expected for professional work
• Testing and documentation important for warranty and quality

For specific questions about your project, contact Pima County Development Services at (520) 724-9000.