Scottsdale's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Scottsdale, Arizona, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Breed Restrictions

Arizona has no statewide breed ban preemption. Some cities have breed-specific legislation. Phoenix has no breed restrictions. Check Scottsdale local ordinance.

Key details: Statewide Preemption: None. Phoenix: No breed restrictions. Other Cities: May have BSL. State Law: ARS §11-1025 (behavior).

Dangerous animal violations per ARS §11-1025: Class 1 misdemeanor to felony depending on severity. BSL violations vary by city.

Animal Hoarding

Scottsdale addresses animal hoarding through Scottsdale Revised Code Chapter 4 keeping limits and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control field investigations; criminal cruelty is prosecuted under Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2910 as a class 1 misdemeanor or class 6 felony.

Key details: Keeping Limits: Scottsdale RC Ch. 4. MCACC: (602) 506-7387. Cruelty Law: ARS §13-2910. Code Enforcement: (480) 312-2546. Felony Threshold: Intentional injury (§13-2910.A).

Exceeding keeping limits under Chapter 4: civil citation $100-$500 first offense. ARS §13-2910 class 1 misdemeanor: up to 6 months jail, $2,500 fine. Class 6 felony: up to 2 years prison, $150,000 fine. Animal seizure plus cost-of-care reimbursement under ARS §13-2910.07. Scottsdale Code Enforcement nuisance abatement: civil fines up to $2,500/day under Scottsdale Revised Code §1-8.

Dog Leash Laws

Scottsdale requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. License and rabies vaccination required per ARS §11-1001 et seq.

Key details: Leash: Required in public. Off-Leash: Designated parks only. License: Required + rabies. State Law: ARS §11-1001 et seq..

Off-leash: $50 to $200. At-large: impound fees + citation. Unlicensed: $50 to $250. Waste: $50 to $500.

Beekeeping

Scottsdale does not have a specific beekeeping ordinance. Beekeeping is addressed through general animal nuisance provisions in SRC Chapter 4, Sec. 4-17. The Arizona Department of Agriculture regulates beekeeping statewide. Africanized honey bees are a significant concern in the Scottsdale area.

Key details: City Ordinance: No specific bee law. Nuisance Rule: SRC Sec. 4-17 applies. State Agency: AZ Dept of Agriculture. AHB Risk: Africanized bees present.

Nuisance violation under Sec. 4-17 if bees disturb neighbors. Arizona Department of Agriculture enforcement for statewide regulations. Emergency removal for Africanized bee colonies.

Exotic Pets

Scottsdale regulates exotic animal keeping under Chapter 4 of the Revised Code and defers to Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) for wildlife permits. Certain exotic species are prohibited statewide under ARS §17-306. Scottsdale additionally restricts keeping wild or dangerous animals within city limits without proper permits.

Key details: Governing Code: Scottsdale Revised Code Chapter 4; ARS §17-306. State Authority: AZGFD regulates wildlife possession permits. Prohibited Without License: Primates, large cats, bears, wolves, venomous reptiles. Beekeeping: Regulated by AZ Dept of Agriculture (AHB state). Cruelty Law: ARS §13-2910 applies to all animals including exotics.

Keeping prohibited exotic animals may result in animal seizure, criminal charges under state law, and municipal code enforcement citations. Fines vary based on the species and circumstances.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Scottsdale actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.

Chickens & Livestock

Scottsdale regulates the keeping of domestic animals including chickens and livestock under Chapter 4, Article II of the Revised Code. Chickens and other fowl are permitted in certain zoning districts with restrictions on number, housing, sanitation, and noise. Roosters and other male fowl that create noise disturbances may be prohibited under the nuisance animal provisions.

Key details: Governing Code: Scottsdale Revised Code Ch. 4, Art. II. Manure Removal: Required at least twice weekly. Noise Prohibition: Section 4-17(c) — animals/fowl causing habitual noise. Roosters: Effectively restricted due to noise nuisance provisions. Large-Lot Zones: R1-35 and R1-43 generally permit livestock.

Violations of animal keeping regulations may result in code enforcement citations, required removal of animals, and fines. Nuisance animal complaints (Section 4-17(c)) can be filed by any two persons or a police/animal control officer.

Wildlife Feeding

Scottsdale discourages feeding wildlife due to the risks posed by coyotes, javelina, and other desert wildlife common in the Sonoran Desert environment. While no specific citywide ordinance bans all wildlife feeding, Scottsdale code addresses nuisance conditions created by attracting wildlife, and AZGFD regulations prohibit feeding certain species.

Key details: Common Wildlife: Coyotes, javelina, bobcats, rattlesnakes, Gila monsters. State Authority: AZGFD regulates wildlife interactions (ARS §17-306). Enforcement: Scottsdale Code Enforcement and AZGFD. HOA Rules: Many Scottsdale HOAs prohibit wildlife feeding in CC&Rs. Best Practice: Secure trash, do not leave pet food outdoors.

Creating conditions that attract nuisance wildlife may result in code enforcement warnings and citations. Feeding certain wildlife species may violate AZGFD regulations.

The Bottom Line

Scottsdale's animal ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Scottsdale is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Scottsdale's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.