Scottsdale, AZ Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)
Garage conversion rules in Scottsdale, AZ, sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions, govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- must meet full Sec. 7.900-7.904 ADU chapter
- Required facilities
- sleeping, kitchen, and sanitary facilities
- Utilities
- separately metered electric, gas, water, sewer
- Approval
- Zoning Administrator, non-appealable decision
- Size cap on conversion
- 500 sq ft unless the one larger unit
Summary
Converting an existing garage or other building into a Scottsdale Accessory Dwelling Unit requires meeting the full ADU chapter, including sleeping, kitchen, and sanitary facilities plus building and fire code compliance, under Sec. 7.903. The converted unit still counts against the lot's ADU density and size caps.
C.Conversion of existing building to an Accessory Dwelling Unit.1.In order to convert an existing building, or portion of an existing building, to an Accessory Dwelling Unit, the property owner shall comply with the requirements of Sec. 7.900., including but not limited to, provision of sleeping facilities, kitchen facilities, and sanitary facilities, and compliance with all applicable building code and fire code requirements.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Sec. C covers converting an existing building, or part of one, such as a detached garage, into an Accessory Dwelling Unit. The property owner must comply with the full requirements of Sec. 904, which for a conversion means adding sleeping facilities, kitchen facilities, and sanitary facilities that the space did not previously need, plus meeting all applicable building code and fire code requirements the City has adopted. Before that conversion can happen, the owner must first go through Sec. 903's development application process, which the Zoning Administrator or designee reviews and can approve, approve with stipulations, or deny, with no appeal available.
The application must include a site plan showing the converted structure sits on a single-family lot with an existing main home that already has a Certificate of Occupancy, floor area figures for both buildings, and confirmation the converted unit will meet Sec. 904's property development standards, including the 500-square-foot cap that applies unless it is the one unit permitted to reach 1,000 square feet or 75 percent of the main home. Separately metered electric, gas, water, and sanitary sewer service must be run to the converted space, and the owner is responsible for repairing any public street or property disturbed during the conversion work.
Violations & Fines
Converting a garage into livable ADU space without an approved Sec. 7.903 development application, without separately metered utilities, or without meeting building and fire code requirements for sleeping, kitchen, and sanitary facilities is a code violation. The Zoning Administrator can deny the application, require the space be restored, or withhold a Certificate of Occupancy until the conversion meets Sec. 7.904's standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my garage into an ADU in Scottsdale?
Does a converted garage ADU need its own utility meters in Scottsdale?
How big can a converted garage ADU be in Scottsdale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scottsdale
Compare Scottsdale to another location·View the Arizona accessory structures overview
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Garage Conversions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Maricopa County handle garage conversions.