Outdoor Living Contractor in Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale's Native Plant Ordinance and protected cacti

A native plant permit is required in Scottsdale to remove, relocate or destroy any plant protected by the ordinance. The city's protected list covers cacti 3 feet or taller and trees 4 inches or more in caliper, and it names ironwood among the protected trees. Plants that must move are to be salvaged unless poor health or orientation makes relocation impossible, and only companies on the city's Native Plant Salvage Contractor list may inventory and salvage protected plants. For single-family projects, the native plant inventory and site plan go in with building plan review, and nothing should be moved before the permit is issued.

Natural Area Open Space under the ESL overlay

The Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance is an overlay district covering the desert and mountain areas of northern Scottsdale. Where it conflicts with the underlying zoning, the ESL rules win. It requires that a share of each property be preserved permanently as Natural Area Open Space and protects features such as native vegetation, washes and ridges. If your lot has NAOS, the patio, pergola and planting plan needs to stay out of that area, so find its boundary on your plat before design starts.

DC Ranch and its Covenant Commission

DC Ranch runs design review through its Covenant Commission office, which supplies forms for modifications to existing homes as well as new construction. A 2022 community newsletter noted that repainting in the originally approved colors needs no approval, while a custom color or a new color scheme requires a paint modification form and a design review fee, with review taking up to 10 business days. Plan for similar steps before adding a ramada or a fire feature.