Landscaping Rules in Phoenix, AZ (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Phoenix, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Trees must be trimmed clear of sidewalks and traffic views
Some RestrictionsPhoenix City Code Sec. 23-32 (Encroachment of trees, shrubs or bushes prohibited)
Sec. 23-32. ENCROACHMENT OF TREES, SHRUBS OR BUSHES PROHIBITED. It is unlawful for any person to allow trees, shrubs or bushes growing on their property to interfere with traffic signs or signals, or with the passage of pedestrians, bicyclists, vehicles, or flow of drainage water on any public right-of-way or easement. Where such interferences are with a traffic sign or signal, or the passage o...
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.
Phoenix Bans Cutting City Park and Street Trees
Significant RestrictionsPhoenix City Code § 34-15
It shall be unlawful for any person to cut, trim, remove, injure or interfere with any shrubbery or ornamental trees or shrubbery in parks, pleasure grounds, boulevards, alleys or streets of the City. Any person maintaining any overhead wires or conduit along or across any street or alley of the City desiring to have any trees or shrubs that may interfere with any such utility cut, trimmed or p...
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.
Weeds over six inches and tumbleweeds prohibited
Heavy RestrictionsPhoenix City Code Sec. 31-10 (Removal of debris, rubbish, weeds, overgrown or dead vegetation)
Sec. 31-10. Removal of debris, rubbish, weeds, overgrown or dead vegetation, and other unhealthy or unsafe conditions on streets, alleys and sidewalks; notice to abate; penalties. (a) The owner, lessee or other person in control of any land abutting a sidewalk, alley, or street shall maintain such sidewalk, alley, or street on which such land abuts in a clean condition in such a manner as to be...
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.
Drought-stage watering rules; turf banned in right-of-way
Some RestrictionsPhoenix City Code sec. 37-126 (Stage 1-Water alert), Drought Management Plan, Ord. No. G-6741
37-126 Stage 1-Water alert. A. The Director may declare a Stage 1 Water Alert when an insufficient water supply appears likely due to water system or supply limitations or structural failure, or when a catastrophic incident threatens the existing water supply or water delivery system. The declaration may designate the entire City service area or a portion of the service area, if the shortage is...
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.
Pollen Olive and Mulberry trees and noxious species banned
Some RestrictionsCity of Phoenix Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance Section 39; Zoning Ordinance Section 1309E.1 (Landscape FAQ TRT/DOC/00189)
Pollen varieties of Olive Trees and Mulberry Trees are prohibited by Section 39 of the city of Phoenix Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance. ... Existing Olive or Mulberry trees were likely planted prior to the ordinance that was put into effect to minimize the planting of new pollen varieties and are therefore grandfathered into the site and can remain. ... See Section 1309E.1 Table 1309.3 for ...
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.
Downtown Phoenix: Artificial Turf Limits
Some RestrictionsPhoenix Zoning Ordinance § 1204.G.1.i
Artificial turf is not permitted for use within public rights-of-way, and may not be used to comply with any on-site landscape requirements. It may be used for outdoor amenity areas which are not required to be landscaped. (T) 2. Tree wells, if permitted, shall be a minimum five feet by five feet, or a two-foot six-inch radius from the base of the tree. (T) a. A minimum two inches...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Phoenix city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Maricopa County →