Scottsdale Update - March 23, 2026

Scottsdale launches SPUR portal to streamline permitting and city approvals.

Scottsdale has launched the Scottsdale SPUR (Smart Planning, Use and Regulations) portal, a new online platform designed to streamline permitting, planning and city approvals for residents, businesses and developers. The $2.9 million system, approved through the 2019 Bond program, replaces three legacy systems more than 30 years old with a single, integrated platform connecting multiple city departments. SPUR manages the full lifecycle of development services, allowing users to submit applications, upload plans, make payments and track project status online. The city partnered with Tyler Technologies under a 10-year contract to build and customize the system following a competitive selection process. All new plan and permit applications are now processed through the portal, improving efficiency, communication and the overall customer experience.

Learn more.

State law reshapes Scottsdale development review process.

The city of Scottsdale has revised its development review process to comply with a new state law, shifting many approval responsibilities from the Development Review Board to city staff while maintaining a focus on quality development. The change follows House Bill 2447, which requires certain plans to be reviewed administratively using objective standards without public hearings. As of Jan. 1, staff now handle reviews for site plans, land divisions, plats and other development-related applications, supported by updates to city ordinances and zoning codes. The Development Review Board will continue to play a role by reviewing requested deviations and helping transition design guidelines into clear, objective standards. City officials say the updates ensure compliance with state law while preserving Scottsdale's commitment to strong design standards.

City seeks public input as ADA transition plan moves forward.

Learn more about the city's efforts to complete a self-assessment as part of updating Scottsdale's ADA Transition plan. The event includes two public meetings from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. Presentations will begin at 11:15 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.

The Scottsdale ADA Transition Plan evaluates the city's buildings, programs, services, activities and communications for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The resulting plan will identify accessibility barriers and recommend strategies to address them. This is part of the city's long-term efforts to improve accessibility and reinforce its commitment to compliance with the ADA.

Learn more about the city's accessibility efforts and how to get involved.

Get a head start learning about city issues, projects and activities by attending or listening in on the many public meetings we host.

Week of March 23:

• City Council Special Meeting: 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 24
• City Council Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 24
• Council Subcommittee on Community Safety Regular Meeting: 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 25
• Planning Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 25
• Neighborhood Advisory Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 25
• Scottsdale Housing Agency Governing Board Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Thursday, March 26
• Human Services Advisory Commission Regular Meeting: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26

Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.

Find more public meetings.

Girl Scout Patch Program.

The city of Scottsdale, in partnership with the Girl Scouts - Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, will host a special celebration at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park to unveil a new Girl Scout patch created exclusively for Scottsdale. Designed by a local 5th grade student, the patch can be earned by completing one activity per area of interest from a cadre of over 30 community-focused activities, such as visiting a museum, attending live entertainment, donating to a food bank, learning about the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance, or attending a Scottsdale City Council meeting.

This ceremony will feature guest speakers and an honoring of our young artist. Light celebratory desserts will be provided, and the event is expected to last about one hour, after which families are invited to stay and enjoy the park’s amenities for the afternoon.

Don't forget to bring sunscreen and a blanket or chair to help you enjoy your day at the park!

• 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at 7301 E. Indian Bend Road.
• Register online.

Paiute Sci-Tech Fun Festival.

Come enjoy a free, fun-filled outdoor event with science-based activities, music, interactive games, prizes and more! This all-ages event will leave you with a new appreciation for science and technology.

• 9 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at 6535 E. Osborn Road.

Uncharted territory awaits.

Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West invites the public to a free Opening Day Celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, marking the unveiling of the Louis Sands IV Center. The new 12,000-square-foot expansion introduces four new galleries that deepen the story of the North American West through new voices and perspectives.

This special day offers a cultural experience where art, education and creativity bring the spirit of the West to life. Guests will be among the first to explore the new galleries and experience the stories, artistry and history that continue to shape the region.

The family-friendly celebration will extend into Old Town Scottsdale with live Western music, food trucks, whiskey tastings and special activations featuring local businesses that reflect the spirit of the West. In the museum's courtyard Sculpture Garden, artisans will demonstrate their craft in connection with the new exhibitions.

Inside the galleries, visitors can explore Visions in Bronze, From Earth to the Stars, Fire of Ages, and Working Pardners: Masterworks from the Eddie Basha Collection, with docent-led express tours and curator pop-up talks throughout the day.

Admission is free with registration. Reserve a pass online.

Now is the perfect time to gear up for Valley Bike Month.

The fun kicks off March 28 with Tour de Scottsdale, a world-class bicycle racing event with challenging and scenic courses throughout north Scottsdale.

Online registration is open for Scottsdale's annual Cycle the Arts event, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The guided bike ride and tour of select pieces of Scottsdale's public art collection takes place Sunday, April 19. Cycle the Arts is a free event; however, registration is required and space is limited.

Shifting gears, bicycle commuters are invited to Bike to Work Day Wednesday, April 22. Participants will receive commemorative Bike Month stickers, door prizes and breakfast snacks. An event map will be available in early April.

For a full list of Bike Month events, visit Valley Metro—and don't forget to sign up for this year's Bike Month Challenge while you're there.

Learn more about Bike Month and register for Scottsdale's annual Cycle the Arts event.

Sun & Sounds.

Food, drinks and free music under the Arizona sun at noon on Sundays at Scottsdale Civic Center!

Each week, enjoy live musical performances by Arizona artists, a new cocktail bar and shop crafty and artistic vendors at the Merchantile Market.

Learn more.

Explore galleries during Scottsdale ArtWalk.

Scottsdale is home to more than 100 galleries, dedicated to exhibiting the finest visual art from around the world and locally. Stroll at your own pace. 7-9 p.m. Thursdays. Specialty-themed Gold Palette ArtWalks are held 6:30-9 p.m. about once a month.

Ongoing

• Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts: Attend exciting, live performances throughout the year.
• Find McDowell Sonoran Conservancy events.
• Discover Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West activities.
• Get Scottsdale Sister Cities events.

Get more events information.

Scottsdale to honor Vietnam veterans March 29 at Civic Center.

Hosted by the Scottsdale Veterans Advisory Commission, the free public event is a communitywide show of appreciation for those who served during the Vietnam era. Complimentary lunch will be provided for registered guests. Registration is required.

This year's featured speaker is Vietnam veteran Francisco “Frank” Moreno, a former U.S. Army paratrooper and helicopter pilot whose service spans some of the most significant chapters of American history.

As a young soldier with the 101st Airborne Division, Moreno was among the paratroopers who enforced President Dwight D. Eisenhower's desegregation order at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957.

He later volunteered for flight school and served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. During the 1965 Battle of Ia Drang at Landing Zone X-Ray, Moreno flew 14 missions into an active combat zone to evacuate wounded soldiers. He and his crew rescued 33 service members, all of whom survived.

His actions earned him the Silver Star, and the award is currently under review for a potential upgrade to the Medal of Honor.

We need your home movies!

If you have videos from the 1950s through the 1980s featuring Scottsdale events or landmarks - such as Parada del Sol, the rodeo, the grand opening of Scottsdale Fashion Square or historic flooding - we'd love to include them in the Scottsdale 75 documentary celebrating the city's 1951 incorporation.

The documentary will be shown at the city's June birthday celebration and on Scottsdale Video Network.

Please send digital links to [email protected] with the subject line “75 Documentary.” Submissions are requested by April 30.

Scottsdale invites community input on draft Shade and Tree Plan.

In an effort to enhance shade throughout the city, the Scottsdale Shade & Tree Plan for the Built Environment was developed to serve as a guide for the community to implement, expand and maintain shade infrastructure across both private development and public spaces.

The plan aims to create cooler, more comfortable outdoor spaces by providing practical guidance for selecting and placing trees, integrating water-harvesting practices, and using shade structures across different locations and contexts.

The city is soliciting public input before finalizing the plan. Residents and community members are encouraged to learn more by visiting the project website or attending one of the scheduled open houses:

• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Mountain View Park Community Center, 8625 E. Mountain View Road
• 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at the Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road

Comments may be submitted through the project's engagement website by April 17.

Learn more and submit comments.

Job of the Week: Urban Forester.

This position blends science, strategy, and hands-on expertise — overseeing tree health, guiding planting and preservation efforts, managing the citywide tree inventory, and shaping long-term urban forestry plans. From reviewing development projects and leading staff to responding to emergencies and coordinating community tree initiatives, the urban forester plays a key role in sustaining and enhancing Scottsdale's green spaces.

Learn more and apply.

Trash day tip: keep propane tanks out.

Scottsdale is reminding residents that propane tanks should never be placed in garbage, recycling bins, or brush and bulk piles. These items are considered household hazardous waste and require special handling, as improper disposal can create serious safety risks for residents, neighbors, and solid waste crews. Proper disposal helps prevent fires and keeps the community safe. Think you know what belongs in your bin? Watch the reel for a quick safety tip and learn how to dispose of propane tanks the right way.

Wildfire exercise strengthens Scottsdale's readiness.

Scottsdale recently hosted its Annual Wildfire Tabletop Exercise, bringing together city leaders and regional partners to enhance emergency preparedness. Representatives from multiple departments collaborated with Scottsdale Fire, Scottsdale Police, Maricopa County Emergency Management, and the National Weather Service to work through a realistic wildfire scenario. Efforts like this help ensure the community is ready before an emergency happens. Get a behind-the-scenes look at this critical training.

Early mornings power big game days in Scottsdale.

Before sunrise, Scottsdale Parks & Recreation crews are already hard at work preparing fields for major tournaments across the city. Their early efforts are helping support the Triple Crown Sports Arizona Spring Championships, bringing 848 teams and more than 10,000 players from over 20 states and Canada. Catch a glimpse of Scottsdale's early-morning park prep and see how the city gets ready for thousands of players and fans.