Maricopa County allows front yard gardens in unincorporated areas. Arizona does not have a statewide law specifically protecting front yard food gardens, but the county's zoning ordinance does not prohibit them. Water-wise gardening is encouraged given the desert climate.
Maricopa County's zoning ordinance does not prohibit front yard vegetable or food gardens in unincorporated residential areas. Property owners may grow vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees in their front yards, subject to general property maintenance requirements. Given Maricopa County's desert climate, raised bed and drip-irrigated gardens are common. The county and University of Arizona Cooperative Extension actively promote desert-adapted food gardening. Considerations include: water conservation (excessive irrigation may conflict with community norms and HOA rules), property maintenance (gardens must be maintained, not abandoned), and compliance with any applicable HOA deed restrictions which may require desert landscaping in the front yard. Some HOAs in unincorporated areas have strict landscaping requirements favoring native desert plants, which may limit front yard food gardens. The county itself does not have water-use restrictions for residential landscaping.
No county penalties for food gardens. HOA violations are civil matters. Abandoned or blighted gardens may be cited under property maintenance requirements.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how Gilbert's front yard gardens rules stack up against other locations.
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