Maricopa County does not have a mandatory defensible space or brush clearance ordinance for most unincorporated areas. The low-desert climate limits vegetation-driven fire risk in populated zones. Rural fire districts in wildland-urban interface areas near the Tonto National Forest may have their own clearance guidelines. Property maintenance ordinance P-11 requires lots to be free of fire hazards.
Unincorporated Maricopa County is served by various fire districts including Rural Metro, Daisy Mountain, and Sun City, each setting their own defensible space requirements. Generally, properties in wildfire-prone desert areas should maintain 30 feet of cleared space around structures by removing dead vegetation and thinning native brush. The Sonoran Desert landscape includes highly flammable species such as buffelgrass and fountain grass that ignite easily during dry pre-monsoon months from April through June. Maricopa County does not enforce a single countywide brush clearance ordinance, so residents should contact their local fire district for specific rules. The county's fire liaison can be reached through Maricopa County Emergency Management at (602) 273-1411.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Maricopa County code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Maricopa County, AZ
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See how Maricopa County's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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