Scottsdale, AZ Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Street landscaping requirement
- all contiguous streets, approved plan required
- Public street standard
- Arizona Dept. of Water Resources criteria
- Minimum tree size
- 15-gallon container minimum
- Mature tree share
- at least 50% mature trees
- Native plant substitute
- saguaro/protected plant under native plant permit
Summary
Scottsdale requires every public and private street contiguous to a development to be landscaped under an approved landscape plan, with street-side plantings following Arizona Department of Water Resources criteria. Zoning-district tables add specific street tree requirements, and trees generally must meet a 15-gallon minimum size under Sec. 10.306 and Sec. 10.501.
A.In addition to other required landscape areas, all public and private streets contiguous to and within the proposed development site shall be landscaped, in accordance with an approved landscape plan. Landscape areas on public streets shall comply with Arizona Department of Water Resources criteria.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 306 requires that, in addition to other required landscape areas, all public and private streets contiguous to and within a proposed development site be landscaped in accordance with an approved landscape plan, and that landscaping on public streets comply with Arizona Department of Water Resources criteria, the state's low-water-use landscaping standards. A then layers on district-specific street tree obligations: Planned Unit Development, Planned Convenience Center, and Western Theme Park zoning all call for street trees based on the approved landscape plan, while Medium-Density Residential (R-3) requires a landscape area at least 35 feet deep from any street line, and Planned Airpark Core requires at least 30 feet between any parking area and the curb line.
Sec. 5-inch average caliper for multi-trunk trees, or a 12-foot trunk for palms. A saguaro or other protected native plant salvaged under a native plant permit can substitute for a standard tree under Sec. C. All of these landscape areas, including street-side plantings, must be irrigated by an automatic system per Sec. 303 and cannot be used for parking, signage, or display under Sec. 305.
Violations & Fines
Failing to landscape a public or private street frontage as required by an approved landscape plan under Sec. 10.306, or planting street trees below the 15-gallon minimum container size and caliper standards of Sec. 10.501, is a landscape code violation. The Development Review Board reviews landscape plans and can withhold approval, and using a required street landscape area for parking or signage under Sec. 10.305 is a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to landscape the street frontage of my Scottsdale development?
What size do street trees have to be in Scottsdale?
Which Scottsdale zoning districts specifically require street trees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scottsdale
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How other cities in Maricopa County handle parkway planting.