Landscaping Rules in Avondale, AZ (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Avondale, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Avondale's Property Maintenance Ordinance does not set a single numeric grass-height limit. Instead, City Code section 14-170(h) prohibits grass or weeds that are uncultivated, unmaintained or overgrown when they create a blighted condition, may harbor infestations, or are likely to become a hazard to public health or safety.
Avondale Grass and Weed Height Rules
Some RestrictionsAvondale City Code sec. 14-170(h) (Land maintenance) (Ord. No. 1589-1115; Ord. No. 2025-0423)
No person owning or occupying any property fronting on any street, alleyway or public place in the city, shall allow thereon grass or weeds characterized as uncultivated, unmaintained or overgrown, including those areas between the property line and the street, when such conditions create a blighted condition or may harbor infestations or are likely to become a hazard to the public health or sa...
Tree Trimming
Avondale City Code section 14-170(j) limits dead and dry palm fronds, and section 14-170(m) bars landscaping that contributes to visual blight, including substantially dead or damaged vegetation. Required landscaping must also be kept healthy under zoning code section 28-298.
Avondale Tree Trimming and Palm Frond Maintenance
Some RestrictionsAvondale City Code sec. 14-170(j) (Land maintenance) (Ord. No. 1589-1115; Ord. No. 2025-0423)
No person shall allow any palm tree to have an excessive accumulation of dead or dry fronds that descend downward from the base of the lowest living frond more than eight (8) feet or dry fronds longer than five (5) feet and closer than eight (8) feet to the ground that may result in insect or other infestations or result in other conditions that are likely to become a hazard to public health or...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Avondale has no general permit requirement for removing a tree from an ordinary private yard. However, zoning code section 28-298 requires prior approval from the zoning administrator before permanently removing or modifying landscaping that was installed under an approved landscape plan, and dead trees must be replaced.
Avondale Tree Removal on Private Property
Few RestrictionsAvondale Zoning Ordinance sec. 28-298(a)(3) (Maintenance)
Permanent modifications and/or removal of existing landscaping, other than necessary for utility, infrastructure, or other repairs caused by unforeseen damages, shall require prior approval by the zoning administrator or authorized designee. Any approved landscaping that has been permanently removed for any reason without the zoning administrator's or authorized designee's approval shall be rep...
Weed Ordinances
Avondale City Code section 14-50 defines 'weed' broadly, and section 14-170(h) prohibits uncultivated, unmaintained or overgrown weeds that create blight, may harbor infestations, or could become a hazard. Required landscaping must be kept weed-free under zoning section 28-298.
Avondale Weed and Noxious Vegetation Rules
Some RestrictionsAvondale City Code sec. 14-50 (Definitions - Weed) (Ord. No. 1589-1115)
Weed: Any plant growth, including, but not limited to, sagebrush, chaparral, bull thistle, cocklebur, foxtail, horseweed, lambs quarters, london rocket, mallow, milkweed, pigweed, mustards, prickly lettuce, ragweed, russian thistle, tumbleweed, shepherds purse, sowthistle, white horsenettle, willow weed, and plant growth defined as noxious weeds in state statutes; and any other brush or vegetat...
Water Restrictions
Avondale does not assign fixed watering days. Instead, City Code section 24-34 prohibits the waste of water, including runoff, overflow, broken sprinkler heads, and emitters spraying more than ten percent of their flow off-target onto pavement, public property or the right-of-way.
Avondale Water Waste and Outdoor Watering Rules
Some RestrictionsAvondale City Code sec. 24-34 (Waste of water prohibited)
Consumers shall prevent unnecessary waste of water and keep all water outlets closed when not in actual use. All water outlets ... shall not be left running for any purpose other than the use for which they were intended. ... 'waste of water' shall mean to use, consume or expend water in sufficient quantity and/or at such a rate that it overflows the basin or object into which it flows, includi...
Rainwater Harvesting
Avondale has no city ordinance prohibiting or specifically permitting residential rainwater harvesting. Arizona does not restrict collecting the rain that falls on your property, so homeowners may use barrels or cisterns for landscape irrigation, subject only to general code provisions such as not creating runoff or blight.
Avondale Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Avondale's zoning code (section 28-293) requires trees and plant material in public rights-of-way to come from the Arizona Department of Water Resources Drought Tolerant / Low Water Use Plant List for the Phoenix Active Management Area. Plants not on the list need zoning-administrator approval for on-site landscaping.
Avondale Native and Low-Water-Use Plant Standards
Some RestrictionsAvondale Zoning Ordinance sec. 28-293(a)(1) (General landscape provisions - Planting criteria)
All trees and plant material used within public rights-of-way shall conform to the most current version of the Arizona Department of Water Resources ("ADWR") "Drought Tolerant/Low Water Use Plant List" for the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA). Plant types not currently on the ADWR Phoenix AMA list proposed for on-site landscaping shall be approved by the zoning administrator or authorized d...
Artificial Turf
Avondale's zoning code limits artificial materials in required landscaping: section 28-294 bars artificial plant materials from satisfying landscape requirements except artificial turf at recreational facilities with zoning-administrator approval. Artificial turf is otherwise listed as an acceptable yard topping under the Property Maintenance Ordinance.
Avondale Artificial Turf Rules
Some RestrictionsAvondale Zoning Ordinance sec. 28-294(b)(1)(B)(9) (Landscape design standards)
No artificial plant materials may be used to satisfy the requirements of this Section, with the exception of artificial turf at recreational facilities if approved by the zoning administrator or authorized designee.
Composting
Avondale has no ordinance prohibiting backyard composting, and the city runs a subsidized Community Compost Program. A compost pile must still be kept from becoming a blighted, debris-strewn or vermin-harboring nuisance under the Property Maintenance Ordinance (Chapter 14).
Avondale Composting Rules and Program
Few RestrictionsLooking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Avondale city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Maricopa County →