How to apply for a tree removal permit in Scottsdale, Arizona

A 5-step walkthrough drawn from Scottsdale's tree-protection ordinance. For the underlying DBH thresholds, protected-species list, and full fee schedule, see the city ordinance page.

Expected processing time: 6-10 weeks for ESLO-subject development reviews. Plan removal timing accordingly — emergency-tree provisions may differ.

  1. 1

    Determine if your tree is regulated

    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. Heritage / landmark designation: Protected native plants inventoried under ESLO receive preservation-in-place, transplant, or replacement designations. No separate DBH-based heritage program.

  2. 2

    Determine who must apply

    Eligible applicants in Scottsdale: Property owner or authorized agent; preservation plans prepared by Arizona-registered landscape architect or qualified biologist/botanist.

  3. 3

    Prepare your assessment report

    Your assessment report must include: Native Plant Inventory, Preservation Plan designating plants for preservation/transplant/salvage/replacement, replacement landscape plan. Required certifications: Arizona-registered landscape architect or qualified native-plant specialist; ISA Certified Arborist for arborist assessments.

  4. 4

    Submit to the permitting department

    Submit your application and assessment report to Planning and Development Services Department. Typical processing time: 6-10 weeks for ESLO-subject development reviews. Reference the full ordinance at https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/planning.

    View the full Scottsdale ordinance

  5. 5

    Plan for replacement obligations

    Replacement ratio: 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.

Where to file

Planning and Development Services Department

(480) 312-7000

Other Arizona permit walkthroughs

See Arizona replacement obligations compared — how Scottsdale's replacement ratio ranks against the rest of the state.

See Arizona heritage criteria compared — how Scottsdale's designation rules stack against the rest of the state.

Compare with nearby cities

Need an arborist report for your Scottsdale permit?

Capture an ISA TRAQ Level 1, 2, or 3 assessment in the field and export a municipality-ready PDF that fits Scottsdale's required report sections. Free, no account required.

Start a TRAQ assessment