Tempe permits backyard composting and offers free compost bins periodically. City provides curbside organics pickup in a pilot area and runs a Compost Cats partnership. Commercial ops >10 cu yd need ADEQ permit.
Tempe is one of the more progressive Arizona cities for composting. The city partners with local programs to offer discounted backyard compost bins at Tempe Public Works events. Tempe has piloted curbside organics collection in select neighborhoods and operates green-waste drop-off at the Household Products Collection Center. Backyard piles must be enclosed, minimum 3 feet from property lines, and maintained to prevent rodents/odor (Tempe City Code Ch. 21 nuisance). Meat/dairy/pet waste prohibited from residential composting. Commercial compost operations ≥10 cubic yards require ADEQ Type 1-3 Solid Waste registration under AZ §49-706.
Nuisance compost pile: $100 civil + 7-day abatement. Unpermitted commercial operation: ADEQ enforcement up to $10,000/day. Contaminated curbside compost bin (wrong items): repeat offense service suspension.
Tempe, AZ
Tempe regulates industrial noise through Chapter 20 (Noise) of the City Code and the Zoning and Development Code. Industrial uses must not generate noise exc...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe addresses barking dogs under both the noise ordinance (Chapter 20) and animal control regulations. Dogs that bark persistently and disturb neighbors ca...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe requires vehicles to park on approved hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt driveways. Parking on dirt, gravel, or landscaped areas is prohibited. ...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe generally does not require a building permit for standard residential fences up to 6 feet in height. Fences exceeding 6 feet, masonry walls, and fences...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's Zoning and Development Code regulates fence materials in residential zones. Common permitted materials include block, stucco, wrought iron, wood, vin...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's zoning code limits residential fence heights to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 3 feet in front yards. Corner lots may have additional visibility t...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle composting.
See how Tempe's composting rules stack up against other locations.
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