How Phoenix Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Phoenix maintains 159 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Phoenix falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Native Plants

Section 39 of the Phoenix Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance prohibits planting pollen varieties of Olive and Mulberry trees, and noxious or invasive species on the University of Arizona Non-native Invasive Plants of Arizona list may not be planted; Zoning Ordinance Section 1309 (Table 1309.3) lists additional prohibited plants.

Key details: Code Section: Phoenix Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance Section 39; Zoning Ordinance Section 1309 (Table 1309.3). Banned new plantings: Pollen varieties of Olive and Mulberry trees. Invasive list: U of A Non-native Invasive Plants of Arizona. Existing trees: Grandfathered if planted pre-ordinance.

Enforced through landscape plan review and the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance; prohibited species (new pollen-bearing Olive/Mulberry, listed noxious/invasive plants) will not be approved for planting, though pre-ordinance trees are grandfathered.

Tree Trimming

Phoenix City Code Sec. 23-32 makes it unlawful to let trees, shrubs or bushes growing on your property interfere with traffic signs, pedestrians, bicyclists, vehicles, or drainage in any public right-of-way, and Sec. 31-13 limits obstructions in the sight-visibility triangle at residential intersections.

Key details: Code Section: Phoenix City Code sec. 23-32; sec. 31-13. Standard notice: 7 days before City abatement. Safety notice: 24 hours where vehicle safety is involved. Cost recovery: Twice the trimming/removal cost; lien if unpaid.

City may abate the encroachment after 7 days' notice (24 hours where motor-vehicle safety is involved) and charge the owner a fee of twice the cost of removal or trimming; unpaid fees become a lien against the property.

Artificial Turf

In Phoenix's Downtown Code area, artificial turf can't sit in the public right-of-way or count toward required on-site landscaping, but it's fine in amenity areas that don't have a landscape mandate.

Key details: Right-of-way use: Not permitted. Counts toward landscape requirement: No. Allowed in amenity areas: Yes, if unlandscaped. Governing code: Downtown Code, Ch. 12.

Installing artificial turf in the public right-of-way or presenting it as compliance with a required on-site landscape area does not satisfy Section 1204's landscape standards, exposing the project to a code correction during Planning and Development Department review.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Phoenix Code § 34-15 makes it unlawful to cut, trim, remove, injure, or interfere with trees and shrubbery in city parks, boulevards, alleys, and streets without City Forester authorization.

Key details: Scope: Trees in parks, boulevards, alleys, streets. Penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor, up to $2,500. Utility exception: Permit from City Forester required. Private trees: Not covered by this section. Citation: Phoenix City Code § 34-15.

Unauthorized cutting, trimming, removing, or injuring a tree in a City park, boulevard, alley, or street is a Class 1 misdemeanor: up to $2,500 in fines, six months in jail, or both, under Sec. 1-5.

This is one of the stricter rules in Phoenix's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Weed Ordinances

Phoenix City Code Sec. 39-7(D) bars weeds higher than six inches and tumbleweeds on any premises, and Sec. 31-10 requires owners to keep abutting sidewalks, alleys, and streets free of overgrown vegetation and weeds, with civil sanctions up to $2,500.

Key details: Code Section: Phoenix City Code sec. 39-7(D); sec. 31-10. Max weed height: 6 inches. Compliance window: 30 days after written notice (sec. 31-10). Penalty: $50-$2,500 civil sanction; Class 1 misdemeanor.

Under Sec. 31-10, failure to comply after written notice is subject to a civil sanction of $50 to $2,500 and is a Class 1 misdemeanor (no criminal complaint filed before 90 days from the notice). Under the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance, civil sanctions reach $2,500.

Compared to other cities, Phoenix takes a harder line on weed ordinances. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Water Restrictions

Phoenix has no fixed day-of-week outdoor watering schedule; instead, Phoenix City Code Chapter 37 (sections 37-126 through 37-130, the Drought Management Plan) authorizes the Water Services Director to declare progressive drought stages, and watering restrictions become mandatory only at Stage 2 (Water Warning) or higher. Turf in the public right-of-way is banned under Arizona state law.

Key details: Code Section: Phoenix City Code sec. 37-126 to 37-130; Drought Management Plan (Ch. 37, sec. 121-130.2). Stage 1: Voluntary conservation, public education only. Stage 2+: Watering limits and surcharges may become mandatory. Turf in right-of-way: Prohibited (Arizona state law).

Voluntary at Stage 1; at Stage 2 (Water Warning) or higher the Director may make restrictions mandatory and enforce them, including water-service surcharges authorized by Chapter 37. Water-waste violations are enforced under existing City codes.

The Bottom Line

Phoenix is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Phoenix, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Phoenix'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.