Scottsdale's Native Plant Ordinance (Chapter 46, Article V) requires replacement or relocation of protected native plants that cannot be preserved in place during development. Replacement must be with plants from the Indigenous Plant List. The Zoning Ordinance Article X sets landscaping requirements including tree planting standards for new development.
When protected native plants must be removed during development, Scottsdale's Native Plant Ordinance requires salvage and relocation as the first option. If relocation is not feasible, replacement plantings from the city's Indigenous Plant List are required. The replacement ratio and specifications are determined through the Native Plant Program review process. Zoning Ordinance Article X (Landscaping Requirements) mandates tree planting as part of new commercial and multi-family development. Required landscape areas must include a specified number of trees per linear foot of frontage or per parking lot area. Trees must be a minimum caliper size at installation (typically 2-inch caliper). The city also requires replacement of significant trees removed from development sites. In ESLO areas, the preference is always preservation in place, and the review process is more stringent.
Failure to replace required native plants or meet landscaping tree requirements may result in fines up to $10,000 per plant and denial of final inspections or certificates of occupancy.
Scottsdale, AZ
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Scottsdale, AZ
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle tree replacement requirements.
See how Scottsdale's tree replacement requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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