Fire Regulations in Scottsdale, AZ (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for Scottsdale, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Scottsdale's amended Residential Code sets hard setbacks for backyard fire pits: outdoor fireplaces, woodstoves, and wood-burning fire pits must sit at least 8 feet from a shared side property line, or 10 feet in a zero-lot-line subdivision. A building permit and site plan are required for the installation unless the structure is only a masonry surround.
Scottsdale Outdoor Fire Pit Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 31-58 (IRC §§ R1008.1, R1008.4)
R1008.1 Outdoor wood-burning devices. Outdoor fireplaces, woodstoves, fire pits and other devices capable of burning wood shall be installed: 1.At least 8 feet from any property line that abuts another property; or2.At least 10 feet from any property line in a zero lot line subdivision. Exceptions: 1.When a property line abuts a street or alley, the setback for these devices shall comply with t...
Fireworks
Scottsdale adopted Ordinance 4157 regulating fireworks use in compliance with state law. Permissible consumer fireworks (ground-based only) are legal only during state-designated periods. Aerial fireworks remain illegal. Fireworks are prohibited on all publicly owned property and in hazardous fire areas near the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Scottsdale Fireworks Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsAriz. Rev. Stat. Sec. 36-1606 (Consumer Fireworks Regulation; State Preemption; Further Regulation by Local Jurisdiction)
A. The sale and use of permissible consumer fireworks are of statewide concern. The regulation of permissible consumer fireworks pursuant to this article and their sale or use is not subject to further regulation by a governing body, except as follows: 1. In a county with a population of more than five hundred thousand persons, a city or town within its corporate limits or the county within the...
Brush Clearance
In Scottsdale's hazardous fire areas, anyone owning, leasing, or controlling a building or adjacent land must keep a 30-foot firebreak clear of flammable vegetation around it at all times. The fire code official can widen that zone to 100 feet on extra-hazardous lots, and unresponsive owners face city-ordered clearing billed back as a property lien.
Scottsdale Brush Clearance Near Structures
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances, Fire Code Appendix O § O116.1
O116.1 General. Persons owning, leasing, controlling, operating or maintaining buildings or structures in, upon or adjoining hazardous fire areas, and persons owning, leasing or controlling land adjacent to such buildings or structures, shall at all times: 1.Maintain an effective firebreak by removing and clearing away flammable vegetation and combustible growth from areas within 30 feet (9144 ...
Outdoor Burning
Scottsdale bans burning refuse anywhere in the city except in incinerators permitted by the county and the city, and any such burning must still comply with Arizona Department of Health Services and EPA rules. It's the one solid-waste offense the code escalates straight to a class one misdemeanor rather than a civil fine.
Scottsdale Open Burning of Refuse Ban
Heavy RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 24-46
No person shall burn refuse, except in incinerators, as may be permitted by the county and the city. Any burning of refuse must comply with the rules and regulations established by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Wildfire Zones
Scottsdale's Fire Code designates 'hazardous fire areas' under Appendix O, where the fire code official can close land to entry, post warning signs, and require permits before anyone sets off explosives, smokes bees, or runs an open-flame device. Grass-, grain-, brush-, and forest-covered land in these zones carries extra fire-prevention rules layered on top of the 2021 International Fire Code Scottsdale otherwise adopted in Chapter 36.
Scottsdale Hazardous Fire Area Rules
Significant RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances, Fire Code Appendix O §§ O101.1, O104.1
O101.1 Scope. The unrestricted use of grass-, grain-, brush- or forest-covered land in hazardous fire areas is a potential menace to life and property from fire and resulting erosion. Safeguards to prevent the occurrence of fire and provide adequate fire-protection facilities to control the spread of fire which might be caused by recreational, residential, commercial, industrial, or other activ...
Propane Storage
Scottsdale's Fire Code requires a construction permit before storing or using LP-gas, operating LP-gas cargo tankers, or removing underground LP-gas containers. Small propane tanks of 10 gallons or less serving a single-family home are the only exemption.
Scottsdale LP-Gas Storage Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 36-18.1 (Fire Code § 105.6.15)
105.6.15 LP-gas. A construction permit is required for: 1.Storage and use of LP-gas. Exception: A permit is not required for individual containers with a 10-gallon (37.85L) water capacity or less serving occupancies in Group R-3. 2.Operation of cargo tankers that transport LP-gas.3.The removal of underground LP-gas containers or tanks
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Scottsdale city rules.
Fire Regulations in Maricopa County →