Scottsdale Tree Removal Permit & Ordinance Guide
Maricopa County, Arizona
Protected Tree Definition
Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance Article VI — Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESLO) — applies to upper Sonoran desert lands and requires native plant inventory, preservation, and transplant for applicable projects. General landscape standards apply citywide. The Native Plant Ordinance protects saguaro, ironwood, palo verde, mesquite, ocotillo, and other desert species on development sites.
Protected Species
Heritage / Landmark Trees
Protected native plants inventoried under ESLO receive preservation-in-place, transplant, or replacement designations. No separate DBH-based heritage program.
Permit Requirements
Native Plant Inventory and Preservation Plan required for ESLO-subject sites at development application. Street and park tree work requires Public Works / Parks coordination. Arizona Native Plant Law applies independently on undeveloped private land.
Who can apply: Property owner or authorized agent; preservation plans prepared by Arizona-registered landscape architect or qualified biologist/botanist
Required Report Sections
Native Plant Inventory, Preservation Plan designating plants for preservation/transplant/salvage/replacement, replacement landscape plan
Replacement Requirements
ESLO sets preservation percentages and transplant requirements by plant category; on-site replacement required when preservation infeasible
Preserve-in-place preferred; transplant on-site next; replacement with equivalent native species when transplant fails. In-lieu provisions limited.
Fees & Fines
Processing Time
6-10 weeks for ESLO-subject development reviews
Required Certifications
Arizona-registered landscape architect or qualified native-plant specialist; ISA Certified Arborist for arborist assessments
Municipal Code
Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance Article VI (Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance); Native Plant Ordinance provisions
View full ordinanceContact
Planning and Development Services Department
(480) 312-7000
Nearby Cities in Maricopa County
Other Arizona cities
Compare with nearby cities
Data last verified: April 2026. This information is provided as a reference. Always verify requirements directly with Scottsdale before submitting permits or reports.
Ready to apply? How to apply for a permit in Scottsdale →
See Arizona replacement obligations compared: How Scottsdale's replacement ratio ranks in Arizona →
See Arizona heritage criteria compared: How Scottsdale's heritage designation ranks in Arizona →
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