ScottsdaleAZ.Gov

The General Plan is our collective vision for how we want the community to evolve during the next 10 to 20 years. The General Plan is important because it affects how the community looks and feels, and how it will meet future needs. It provides clear direction to the future of our city, just as a map would provide clear direction on how to get from Scottsdale to your desired destination.

We're in the process of reviewing and updating the General Plan which will go before the City Council for consideration in October 2011. Residents and Businesses are encouraged to get involved!

Go to 2011 General Plan Update

Current GENERAL PLAN (2001)

Adopted by City Council on October 30, 2001
Ratified by Scottsdale citizens in March 2002

Download Entire General Plan (pdf/21.7MB/190pp/Nov-2006)
Warning: Large File Size

An Executive Summary

The General Plan is a statement of goals and policies that work as the primary tool for guiding the future development of the city. It is an expression of our collective vision and direction for the future of Scottsdale and how we want future growth and the character of the community to occur over the next 10-20 years.

On a daily basis the city is faced with tough choices about growth, housing, transportation, neighborhood improvement, and service delivery. A General Plan provides a guide for making these choices by describing long-term goals for the city's future as well as policies to guide day-to-day decisions.

The General Plan is divided into six chapters which are based on the Six Guiding Principles of the CityShape 2020 citizen participation process:

• Character and Lifestyle
• Economic Vitality
• Neighborhoods
• Open Space
• Sustainability
• Transportation

Twelve "Elements" or sections of the General Plan contain the city's policies on character and design, land use, open spaces and the natural environment, business and economics, community services, neighborhood vitality, housing, transportation, growth issues, human services, protection of desert and mountain lands, economic vitality, and the character of neighborhoods.

The policies in the General Plan are implemented and detailed through ordinances and ongoing formal procedures of the city, such as the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, and Design Guidelines. The intent of the General Plan is implemented through recommendations from city Boards and Commissions and decisions made by the City Council. Over time the General Plan is a living document that is manifested by many specific decisions and events that cause it to respond to the changing conditions, needs and desires of the community.

General Plan Amendments

Questions? 
Contact Carrie Wilhelme, AICP, Advance Planning Senior Planner at 480-312-2205 or email generalplan@scottsdaleaz.gov.