A Resident's Guide to Tempe's Local Ordinances

Tempe is a mid-sized city in Maricopa County, Arizona, with about 181000 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 Tempe.

Animal Ordinances

Animal Hoarding: Tempe enforces AZ §13-2910 animal cruelty for hoarding. Tempe City Code Ch.

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

Landscaping Rules

Rainwater Harvesting: Arizona encourages rainwater harvesting and Tempe residents may collect rainwater without a permit. No state or local restrictions on residential collection.

Also covered: Composting (permissive), Water Restrictions (moderate), Grass Height Limits (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Tempe for details.

Noise Ordinances

Industrial Noise: Tempe regulates industrial noise through Chapter 20 (Noise) of the City Code and the Zoning and Development Code. Industrial uses must not generate noise exceeding 5 dB(A) above the community noise standard at the property line.

Also covered: Aircraft Noise (permissive), Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Quiet Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Tempe for details.

Parking Rules

EV Charging: Tempe permits residential EV charger installation with an electrical permit for Level 2 (240V) systems. Arizona law (ARS 33-1818) prohibits HOAs from banning EV charger installations.

Also covered: Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Tempe for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Tempe prohibits the use, sale, and possession of consumer fireworks within city limits except for limited permissible items around the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve. Only ground-based, non-aerial fireworks like sparklers and fountains are allowed during designated periods..

Also covered: Propane Storage (moderate), Smoke Detectors (moderate), Fire Pit Rules (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Tempe for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Tempe prohibits exterior signage for home-based businesses in residential zones. No signs, banners, or displays advertising the business may be visible from outside the property..

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Tempe for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Registration Rules: Tempe Ordinance O2023.01 (City Code Ch. 16A, Art.

Also covered: Night Caps (permissive), Parking Rules (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Tempe for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rental Restrictions: Tempe permits long-term ADU rentals without a city license. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) require an Arizona Department of Revenue transaction privilege tax license and a Tempe Short-Term Rental permit under City Code regulations adopted consistent with ARS 9-500.39.

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

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department enforces the International Fire Code through Tempe City Code Chapter 13. IFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame and charcoal cooking devices on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of multi-family buildings, and prohibits LP-gas containers larger than 2.5 lb water capacity on combustible balconies.

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

Holiday Decorations

Lawn Ornament Rules: Tempe has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations on residential property. Tempe property maintenance provisions require an unblighted yard but do not regulate ornament content.

Also covered: Holiday Light Rules (permissive), Inflatable Display Rules (moderate). See the full holiday decorations guide for Tempe for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Tempe enforces strict pool barrier requirements aligned with Arizona state law (ARS 36-1681). All pools, hot tubs, and spas with water over 18 inches deep must be enclosed by a barrier at least 5 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive), Retaining Walls (moderate), Height Limits (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Tempe for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Tempe requires all residential swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 5 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates. This applies to in-ground and above-ground pools, spas, and hot tubs containing water deeper than 18 inches..

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

Trash & Recycling

Pickup Rules & Schedules: Tempe provides weekly curbside collection for trash, recycling, and green waste. Collection is performed using automated trucks.

Also covered: Recycling Requirements (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (permissive). See the full trash & recycling guide for Tempe for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Recreational drone pilots in Tempe must follow FAA rules including The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). Arizona law (ARS 13-3729) preempts local drone regulation.

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

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Tempe's Zoning and Development Code establishes minimum setback requirements that vary by zoning district. Single-family residential zones typically require 20-25 foot front setbacks, 5-10 foot side setbacks, and 15-25 foot rear setbacks.

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Tempe for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Tempe does not require a permit for standard residential garage or yard sales. Sales must be conducted on private property and comply with general nuisance, sign, and parking provisions.

Also covered: Time Restrictions (permissive), Frequency Limits (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Tempe for details.

Property Maintenance

Trash Bin Storage: Tempe requires residents to store trash and recycling bins out of public view when not on the curb for collection. Bins should be placed at the curb the evening before or morning of collection and returned within 24 hours.

Also covered: Garage Sale Rules (permissive), Property Blight (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for Tempe for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Tempe participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates development in FEMA-designated flood zones. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) along the Salt River and Indian Bend Wash must meet floodplain management standards..

Also covered: Coastal Development (moderate), Erosion Control (moderate), Grading & Drainage (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Tempe for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Trees on private residential property in Tempe can generally be removed without a city permit unless they are protected native species under ARS 3-901. Protected species (saguaro, palo verde, ironwood) require an Arizona Department of Agriculture permit.

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

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Tempe requires all rental properties to be registered with the Maricopa County Assessor's office per Arizona law. Failure to register is a $1,000 fine from Tempe code enforcement.

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

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Tempe requires door-to-door solicitors to obtain a permit from the city before going door-to-door in residential neighborhoods. Applicants must pass a background check.

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

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Tempe restricts cannabis dispensaries to specific commercial zoning districts: General Office (G-O), General Commercial (C-2), and Heavy Commercial (C-3). Dispensaries must maintain 1,320 feet of separation from schools, childcare facilities, churches, parks, libraries, community buildings, and other dispensaries.

Also covered: Home Cultivation (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Tempe for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Tempe city parks generally close at 10:30 PM and reopen at 6:00 AM. Tempe Town Lake has specific hours.

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

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks operating in Tempe need a City of Tempe business license and a Maricopa County Environmental Services food establishment permit. The city regulates food truck locations through its zoning code and special event permits.

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

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Tempe regulates outdoor lighting through the Zoning and Development Code to control light pollution and glare. Arizona is known for dark sky advocacy, and Tempe's lighting standards address light trespass, fixture shielding, and prohibited upward-directed lighting.

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

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Tempe regulates temporary signs including garage sale signs through the Zoning and Development Code. Signs on private property are permitted.

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Political Signs (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Tempe for details.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: Arizona law (ARS 33-1816) strongly protects homeowners' rights to install solar panels. HOAs cannot prohibit solar installations or impose restrictions that increase cost by more than $1,000 or decrease efficiency by more than 10%.

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

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Tempe. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.