ScottsdaleAZ.Gov

Zoning Code Interpretations

Zoning Ordinance Update

The City’s Zoning Ordinance is over 35 years old and has been revised periodically over time. Because of it's age, there are many uses that are not mentioned in the ordinance and some uses that are obsolete. Some of the changes made in the past were not comprehensive, leaving parts of the ordinance confusing. To help in the fair and consistent implementation of these areas, the city has issued many Zoning Interpretations over the years. These interpretations are listed below.

By code, zoning interpretations can be made by the Zoning Administrator or designee (see code references ).

Zoning Administrator, Lusia Galav

• Request an Interpretation

• Appeal an Interpretation

RECENT INTERPRETATIONS

• PRC Gross Land Area

INTERPRETATIONS

The listing provided below is for reference only.

The listing does not include all interpretations, and some listed may be obsolete due to code changes that occurred after the interpretation was made. For specific information related to your project, please call 480-312-7000 or e-mail planninginfo@ScottsdaleAZ.gov.

The following documents are provided as PDF documents, are generally only 1 page and typically take only a few moments to open. If you have any problems accessing these documents, or need them in a different format, please call 480-312-7800 or e-mail planninginfo@ScottsdaleAZ.gov .

Definitions Accessory Uses Adult Care Homes Adult Novelty Store Adjoining Day Care Center Front Property Line Gross Size Multi-family Hotel Pool Hall-Billiard Parlor and Req. for UP Public Safety Communication Facilities Shelter Shielding of Lights Teen Dance Center	Analogous Uses Artists Studio Coffee Roasting Childrens Gyms / Exercise Programs Corporate Retreats Hand Wash Specialty Car Wash Massage Parlour Paint Booth Recovery Care Center
Applications Accessible Parking Design Accessory Bldgs - Setbacks Accessory Bldgs - Corner Lots Accessory Bldgs - Side Yards Administrative Approval of Amended Development Standards - Lot Width Aircraft Storage Scottsdale Airpark Ancillary Uses in PCD Auto Rental Ancillary Car Dealerships Building Volume Calculations Corner Lot Walls Commercial Ranch and Stable Parking Enclosure Height in ESL ESL Building Height - SFR ESL Exterior Lighting - SFR ESL Exterior Lighting  - Revoked ESLO Lot Tie Lot Split Special Exception Guest Houses Health & Fitness Studios - Revoked Height Non-indigenous Plant Material Lighting - Outdoor Holiday vs. Decorative Lights Manicuring NAOS Non-conforming Use (SFR) - Revoked Non-indigenous plants in ESLO Outdoor Vehicle Display P3 Parking Requirements - Revoked Patio Covers R-3 R-4 R-5 Patio Covers R-4 Permanent Living Purposes Pruning Veg In NAOS R1-7 Nonbuildable Easement R-5 Coffee service ancillary to Plant Nursery R-5 Private, Outdoor Living Spaces Lot Sizes in Multi-family district (R5) Side Yard Setbacks - "Aggregate" Sidewalk Sales Signs in SR Districts - Total Sign Area Sign in the ROW and Public Property Sports Courts w/Lighting - Setbacks Teen Dance Center Locations Temp Construction Trailers Temp Sales Trailer - Density Temp Sales / Model Homes - Allowed Use WCF Height Concealment	Calculations District Boundary Lines - Setbacks Encroach Bldgs Inclined Stepback Plane P-3 Parking Credits Parking Requirement for Shopping Center Permitted Intensity Dev ESL lands Project Base Density ESLO Dist Required NAOS Taxiway Easements - Net Lot Area Taxiway Easements - Req Open Space
Corrections Incorrect cross-reference Auto Repair C-3 Sonoran Highlands Ph II Amend Standards

Related Links

• Zoning Code
• Board of Adjustment
• ESL Ordinance
• Codes & Ordinances
• Permits/One Stop Shop
• Projects (Active and Proposed)
• "How To" Guides
• Design, Engineering and Planning Guidelines
• MAG Supplements
• Report a Problem
• Business Licenses and Permits
• Accessible Scottsdale - ADA Resources

Additional Resources   

• City Code
• International Code Council
• ICC Evaluation Service, Inc
• I-Code Adoption Map
• OSHA