A Resident's Guide to Gilbert's Local Ordinances

Gilbert is a mid-sized city in Maricopa County, Arizona, with about 268000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 119 ordinances across 27 categories that affect daily life in Gilbert.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Gilbert enforces water conservation requirements prohibiting irrigation waste and runoff. The town promotes xeriscape and desert-adapted landscaping through incentive programs and development standards..

Also covered: Composting (permissive), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Rainwater Harvesting (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Gilbert for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Outdoor burning in Gilbert is restricted under MCAQD rules and ARS §49-501. Wood-burning fire pits, chimineas, and yard waste burning are prohibited on no-burn days.

Also covered: Propane Storage (moderate), Smoke Detectors (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Gilbert for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Insurance Requirements: Gilbert requires all STR operators to obtain and maintain a Town STR license under the June 2023 ordinance. Operators must meet insurance and emergency contact requirements..

Also covered: Registration Rules (moderate), Night Caps (permissive), Noise Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Gilbert for details.

Animal Ordinances

Animal Hoarding: Gilbert Town Code Ch. 10 limits residential dogs/cats and treats hoarding under AZ §13-2910 animal cruelty.

Also covered: Breed Restrictions (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Beekeeping (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Gilbert for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Gilbert enforces ARS 36-1681 pool barriers. 5-foot minimum fence, self-closing gates.

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Safety Rules (strict), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Gilbert for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Gilbert regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events.

Also covered: Aircraft Noise (permissive), Quiet Hours (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Gilbert for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Permits: Gilbert processes ADU permits through Development Services. Arizona HB 2720 (signed May 2024, effective January 1, 2025) preempts most local ADU restrictions in cities over 75,000 residents and codifies ADU rules at ARS 9-461.18.

Also covered: ADU Impact Fees (permissive), ADU Rental Restrictions (permissive), ADU Owner Occupancy (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Gilbert for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Gilbert adopts the International Fire Code with local amendments through Town Code Chapter 26 (Fire Prevention). IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits LP-gas containers over 1 lb on combustible balconies of buildings with three or more dwelling units and requires charcoal grills to be 10 feet from buildings.

Also covered: Smoker Rules (permissive), Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Gilbert for details.

Holiday Decorations

Holiday Light Rules: Gilbert has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Timing, brightness, and animation are governed by subdivision CC&Rs and HOA covenants in master-planned communities.

Also covered: Inflatable Display Rules (permissive), Lawn Ornament Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for Gilbert for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone operations in Gilbert require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport airspace may require LAANC authorization.

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Gilbert for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Gilbert prohibits exterior signage for home occupations. The residence must maintain its residential appearance with no visible commercial identification from the street or neighboring properties..

Also covered: Home Daycare (moderate), Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Gilbert for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bulk Item Disposal: Gilbert offers scheduled bulky item collection for residents. Large items like furniture, appliances, and mattresses can be arranged for pickup.

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Recycling Requirements (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Gilbert for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Gilbert requires food trucks to obtain a business license and a Maricopa County Environmental Services health permit. Food trucks must pass health inspections and maintain proper food safety certifications.

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Gilbert for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Time Restrictions: Gilbert restricts garage and yard sale activity to hours between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. This applies to all garage, carport, and boutique sales.

Also covered: Garage Sale Permits (permissive), Frequency Limits (moderate). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Gilbert for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Lot Coverage Limits: Gilbert's Land Development Code limits lot coverage by zoning district. Residential districts typically limit building coverage to 40-50%.

Also covered: Setback Rules (moderate), Structure Height Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Gilbert for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Gilbert actively enforces property maintenance through its Code Compliance division. Properties must be maintained free of junk, debris, weeds, abandoned vehicles, and graffiti.

Also covered: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Trash Bin Storage (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Gilbert for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Arizona legalized recreational cannabis in 2020 (Proposition 207, Smart and Safe Arizona Act). Adults 21 and older may cultivate up to 6 plants per person in an enclosed, locked space not visible from public view.

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Gilbert for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Gilbert enforces stormwater management through Ordinance 1590 and the Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES). Construction sites disturbing one acre or more must obtain coverage under the construction general permit.

Also covered: Erosion Control (strict), Flood Zones (strict), Grading & Drainage (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Gilbert for details.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: Arizona law (ARS 33-1816) prohibits HOAs from banning solar energy devices. HOAs may adopt reasonable guidelines regarding placement that do not significantly increase cost or decrease efficiency by more than 10%.

Also covered: Panel Permits (moderate). See the full solar energy guide for Gilbert for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Gilbert does not have a mandatory rental registration program. Rental properties must comply with building code and habitability standards.

Also covered: Just Cause Eviction (permissive), Rent Control (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Gilbert for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Gilbert regulates signs through the Land Development Code. Arizona Revised Statutes protect political sign display on private property.

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Gilbert for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Gilbert requires all pools and spas to have barriers at least 5 feet high per ARS 36-1681. The barrier must prevent a 4-inch sphere from passing through, with self-closing and self-latching gates..

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Height Limits (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Gilbert for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Gilbert allows RV storage on residential property in fenced areas behind the front setback. A fenced area includes any backyard, and the fence does not need to be opaque.

Also covered: Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Gilbert for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Gilbert incorporates outdoor lighting standards that address dark sky concerns, consistent with Arizona's statewide dark sky awareness. The Land Development Code requires shielded, downward-directed fixtures for new development.

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Gilbert for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Gilbert regulates transient merchants and solicitors under Chapter 14, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances. Door-to-door solicitors must register with the town and comply with solicitation regulations.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Gilbert for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Gilbert enforces a juvenile curfew under Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances. Minors under 16 must be off public streets during curfew hours, typically 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Gilbert for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Gilbert has limited tree protection regulations given the desert environment. There is no general tree removal permit for private property.

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (permissive), Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Gilbert for details.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Gilbert, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.