Accessory Structures in Scottsdale, AZ (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Scottsdale, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Scottsdale allows up to two Accessory Dwelling Units on lots under an acre and three, including one Restricted-Affordable unit, on acre-plus lots. Sizes top out at 1,000 square feet or 75 percent of the main home, and the Zoning Administrator's approval decision on the required development application cannot be appealed.
Scottsdale Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 7.904
1.Density.a.Attached Accessory Dwelling Unit.i.There shall be no more than one (1) Attached Accessory Dwelling Unit on any one (1) single-family residential lot.b.Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit.i.There shall be no more than one (1) Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit on any one (1) single-family residential lot.c.Restricted-Affordable Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit.i.Single-family residential ...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Scottsdale bars selling an ADU separately from the main house and requires a recorded deed restriction before a Restricted-Affordable Detached ADU can be occupied. That unit type can only be rented to households at or below 80 percent of area median income and can never be listed as a vacation or short-term rental.
Scottsdale ADU Rental and Ownership Restrictions
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 7.902
3.Ownership, renting, and subdivision.a.Any Accessory Dwelling Unit on a single-family residential lot shall not be sold separately from the main single-family residential dwelling on the same lot.b.Any Accessory Dwelling Unit that is rented, leased, offered for rent or lease, or occupied as a Vacation Rental or Short-term Rental shall be subject to the requirements of Sec. 7.203.c.A Restricted...
Shed & Carport Rules
Scottsdale limits backyard sheds and other accessory buildings to residential lots where the main house is already under construction, capping their footprint at 30 percent of the rear yard (75 percent in the R-5 district) under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.200.A. Placement rules bar sheds from front and side yards and set specific setbacks from property lines and alleys.
Scottsdale Accessory Building and Shed Rules
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 7.200.A
A.Accessory buildings and structures. This section shall apply only to residential districts.2.Lot Coverage. Accessory buildings or structures may be constructed in a rear yard, but the cumulative lot coverage of such accessory buildings or structures shall not occupy more than thirty percent (30%) of a rear yard. Exception: In the Multiple-family Residential (R-5) zoning district where the lot...
Garage Conversions
Converting an existing garage or other building into a Scottsdale Accessory Dwelling Unit requires meeting the full ADU chapter, including sleeping, kitchen, and sanitary facilities plus building and fire code compliance, under Sec. 7.903. The converted unit still counts against the lot's ADU density and size caps.
Scottsdale Garage-to-ADU Conversion Requirements
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 7.903
C.Conversion of existing building to an Accessory Dwelling Unit.1.In order to convert an existing building, or portion of an existing building, to an Accessory Dwelling Unit, the property owner shall comply with the requirements of Sec. 7.900., including but not limited to, provision of sleeping facilities, kitchen facilities, and sanitary facilities, and compliance with all applicable building...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Scottsdale city rules.
Accessory Structures in Maricopa County →