How Scottsdale Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Scottsdale maintains 134 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Scottsdale falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Rainwater Harvesting

Scottsdale folds rainwater harvesting into its stormwater and floodplain rules rather than regulating it separately. Development must generally provide stormwater storage sized for a 100-year, 2-hour storm, but the Floodplain Administrator can approve rainwater harvesting as a substitute for some or all of that required storage.

Key details: Storm design standard: 100-year, 2-hour storm event. Harvesting status: Approved alternative to stormwater storage. Approving official: Floodplain Administrator. In-lieu fee trigger: Paid if storage requirement is waived. Governing chapter: Scottsdale Revised Code Chapter 37.

Failing to provide the stormwater storage or approved harvesting substitute Chapter 37 requires, or letting a harvesting or storage facility fall below the maintenance standard in Section 37-54, defaults to the citywide general penalty in Section 1-8: a Class 1 misdemeanor, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. The Floodplain Administrator can also condition or revoke approval of an alternative measure and require a standard storage facility instead.

Tree Trimming

Scottsdale makes the owner of property next to a street responsible for mowing and trimming the plants and trees on the adjacent right-of-way, and separately bars any tree, hedge or shrub from interfering with public use of that right-of-way at all.

Key details: Duty holder: Owner of property adjacent to right-of-way. Listed duty: "Mowing and trimming plants and trees". Hand tools: No authorization needed. Trucks/heavy equipment: Written city authorization required. Interference ban: No tree/hedge/shrub blocking right-of-way use.

Failing to trim trees or plants that interfere with the right-of-way is enforceable as a civil offense: Sec. 47-102(i) sets a $400.00 minimum per-day fine for failing to act where an act is required under the chapter, and Sec. 47-102(e) sets the same $400.00 per-day minimum for failing to maintain or remove an encroachment as directed by the city. Sec. 47-104 also authorizes the city to remove overgrown trees or shrubs itself and bill the owner for the cost, plus a late charge if the bill goes unpaid past 30 days.

Composting

Scottsdale's code allows composting as one lawful way to dispose of animal waste from pens, stables, yards and cages, as long as it happens often enough to prevent a nuisance or health hazard. The code defines composting narrowly as a controlled condition where organic material decomposes and stabilizes.

Key details: Lawful disposal methods: Bagged pickup or composting. Required frequency: As often as necessary to prevent nuisance. Composting defined at: § 24-2. Small pet waste: Bagged in solid waste container. Livestock/horse waste: Must be dry and contained.

Failing to remove and properly dispose of or compost animal waste often enough to prevent a nuisance or health hazard is a chapter 24 violation subject to a civil fine of up to $500 for a first offense and up to $700 for a repeat within two years (§ 24-52(c)); a second violation within a year can be prosecuted as a class one misdemeanor (§ 24-52(d)). Persistent nuisance conditions can also draw vector-control enforcement action under § 24-54.

The rules around composting in Scottsdale lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Weed Ordinances

Scottsdale's property maintenance code caps grass at six inches under Sec. 18-9(a)(4), banning poison oak, poison ivy and weeds along with any dead, dry or overgrown plant growth on any land in the city. Sec. 18-9(b) extends the same limit to the adjacent street right-of-way through to the centerline of the alley.

Key details: Max grass/weed height: 6 inches, Sec. 18-9(a)(4). Right-of-way duty: Same limit to alley centerline, Sec. 18-9(b). Correction notice window: At least 30 days, Sec. 18-70(b)(3). First residential fine: $250 civil citation, Sec. 18-65(a). Criminal minimum fine: $500, class one misdemeanor, Sec. 18-66.

Once an inspector confirms a violation, Sec. 18-70 requires a written notice to abate giving at least 30 days to cut the grass or clear the weeds before the city can abate the property itself and bill the cost as a lien. A citation for residential land carries a $250 fine for a first offense, $500 for a second within two years and $750 for a third or later under Sec. 18-65(a); a criminal charge under Sec. 18-66 is a class one misdemeanor carrying at least a $500 fine.

Water Restrictions

Scottsdale caps how much of a lot can be planted in water-intensive landscape or turf. For a new single-family home permitted on or after August 15, 2023, Sec. 49-248 confines that turf to a fenced or walled rear or side yard, while separate percentage caps in Secs. 49-245 through 49-247 apply to schools, resorts, commercial lots and model homes.

Key details: New single-family turf rule: Rear/side yard only, fenced 3+ feet. Effective date: Building permits on/after Aug. 15, 2023. Resort turf cap: 10% of first 9,000 sq ft. Fourth violation fine: 2x average 6-month water bill. Drought authority: City Manager, Secs. 49-253-259.

Section 49-250 imposes escalating consequences: a first violation draws a written notice and educational materials with time to correct it, a second violation draws a certified-mail notice, a third violation adds a $50 fine to the account, and a fourth or later violation imposes a fine equal to twice the average monthly bill for the prior six months, with water service subject to termination until the Division Director is satisfied future violations will not occur. During a declared drought, Sec. 49-259 authorizes a surcharge on excess consumption and citations under SRC Secs. 49-33 through 49-40 for repeat violations.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Scottsdale's Native Plant Ordinance (Chapter 46, Article V) protects indigenous desert plants citywide. Removal or relocation of protected native plants requires a Native Plant program submission. Violations carry fines up to $10,000. The ordinance covers saguaro cacti, palo verde trees, mesquite, ironwood, and dozens of other protected species.

Key details: Governing Code: Scottsdale Code Chapter 46, Article V. Native Plant Ordinance. Adopted: 1981 (revised multiple times since). Protected Species: Saguaro, palo verde, mesquite, ironwood, barrel cactus, etc.. Violation Fine: Up to $10,000 per plant. Scope: Applies citywide to all development and land clearing.

Unauthorized removal of protected native plants carries fines up to $10,000 per plant. Required replacement or restoration may also be ordered.

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

Native Plants

Scottsdale's Native Plant Ordinance (Chapter 46, Article V) is one of the most comprehensive in Arizona, protecting dozens of indigenous desert plant species. The Zoning Ordinance Article X (Landscaping Requirements) mandates native and drought-tolerant plantings in new development. Violations of native plant protections carry fines up to $10,000.

Key details: Ordinance: Chapter 46, Article V: adopted 1981, revised since. Protected Species: Saguaro, palo verde, mesquite, ironwood, barrel cactus, ocotillo. Landscaping Requirements: Zoning Ordinance Article X requires native/drought-tolerant plants. Violation Fine: Up to $10,000 per plant. Educational Resource: Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park.

Removal or destruction of protected native plants without an approved Native Plant Program carries fines up to $10,000 per violation and required replacement or restoration.

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

The Bottom Line

Scottsdale is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Scottsdale, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Scottsdale's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.