Landscaping Rules in Maricopa, AZ (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Maricopa, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Property owners in Maricopa must trim trees, shrubs and brush that block the sidewalk or alley next to their land, keeping the public right-of-way clear for pedestrians and vehicles.
Maricopa Sidewalk & Alley Tree Clearance
Some RestrictionsMaricopa City Code § 8.10.015
The owner and any responsible party in control of any land abutting a sidewalk or alley must maintain the sidewalk or alley free from conditions that restrict pedestrian or vehicular travel: 1. The accumulation of solid waste; 2. Trees, shrubs, or brush impeding pedestrian or vehicular traffic; and 3. Other conditions that present a health, fire, or safety hazard.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Maricopa requires homeowners associations and individual property owners to replace dead required landscaping trees within three months of being notified by the city, under the zoning code's landscaping maintenance standard.
Maricopa Dead Tree Replacement Rule
Some RestrictionsMaricopa City Code § 18.90.030(H)(2)
Replacement of dead trees and required landscaping shall be by the homeowner's association or the individual property owner and shall be completed within three months from the date that the association or property owner is notified by the city.
Weed Ordinances
Maricopa's code counts weeds, brush or grass grown to an unreasonable height or amount as "litter," and owners must keep residential and commercial property free of the blight that uncontrolled growth creates under the city's property maintenance chapter.
Maricopa Overgrown Weeds and Grass Rule
Some RestrictionsMaricopa City Code § 8.05.010
“Litter” means any rubbish, trash, weeds, filth or debris which constitute a hazard to public health and safety and shall include all putrescible and nonputrescible solid wastes including garbage, trash, ashes, street cleanings, dead animals, abandoned automobiles and solid market and industrial waste; any deposit, accumulation, pile or heap of brush, grass, debris, weeds, cans, cloth, paper, w...
Rainwater Harvesting
Maricopa doesn't mandate rainwater harvesting. Maricopa City Code § 18.125.020 makes the city's whole sustainable development incentive program voluntary, and § 18.125.040 lists functional rainwater harvesting that irrigates at least 20 percent of a project's landscape area as one of 17 features a developer can bank toward zoning incentives like expedited review or extra height.
Maricopa Rainwater Harvesting Incentive Rules
Few RestrictionsMaricopa City Code § 18.125.040 (Feature #10, #12)
18.125.020 Applicability. For all development projects, this program is voluntary. ... 18.125.040 Qualifying sustainable development features. ... Site development incorporates functional rainwater harvesting that irrigates at least 20 percent of the total landscape area. ... Development installs alternative on-site rain water runoff systems that incorporate rainwater harvesting features, pervi...
Native Plants
Maricopa lets developers swap out standard landscaping requirements for native and drought-tolerant plantings through an alternative landscape plan under Maricopa City Code § 18.90.070(A), which requires 'preservation or incorporation of drought-tolerant or native vegetation' alongside water-efficient irrigation and desert-environment compatibility. The citywide landscaping purpose section, § 18.90.010(E), separately directs the code to 'encourage the use of drought-tolerant, native or adapted plant species' and discourage invasive nonnative plants.
Maricopa Native Plant Landscape Plan Rule
Light RestrictionsMaricopa City Code § 18.90.070(A)
An applicant who can demonstrate that the intent of this chapter can be exceeded, in whole or in part, may submit an alternative landscape plan (ALP) prepared in accordance with this section. The ALP shall include a narrative that clearly details the modifications being requested and explains how they enhance the landscape design principles listed below. A. Required Elements. In order to qualif...
Looking for Pinal County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Maricopa city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Pinal County →