Phoenix — Ch. 22 Art. VI Property Maintenance § 22-411
Maintenance requirements
Operative Text
(a) Properties subject to this chapter shall be kept free of weeds, overgrown brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, any accumulation of newspaper circulars, flyers, notices, except those required by federal, state or local law, discarded personal items including, but not limited to, furniture, clothing, large and small appliances, printed material, or any other items that give the appearance that the property is abandoned. (b) Registrable property shall be maintained free of graffiti or similar markings by removal or painting over with an exterior grade paint that matches the color of the exterior structure. (c) Front, side, and rear yards, including landscaping, of registrable property shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable code(s) at the time registration is required. (d) Registrable yard maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings, decorative rock or bark or artificial turf/sod. Acceptable maintenance of yards and/or landscape shall not include weeds, gravel, broken concrete, asphalt or similar material. (e) Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, watering, irrigation, cutting and mowing of required ground cover or landscape and removal of all trimmings. (f) Pools and spas of shall be maintained so the water remains free and clear of pollutants and debris and shall comply with the regulations set forth in the applicable code(s). (g) Failure of the mortgagee, landlord, owner, and transferees to properly maintain the property as required by this chapter may result in a violation of the applicable code(s) and issuance of a citation or notice of violation in accordance with the applicable code of the village. Pursuant to a finding and determination by the village sheriff, magistrate or a court of competent jurisdiction, the village may take the necessary action to ensure compliance with this section. (h) In addition to the above, the property is required to be maintained in accordance with the applicable code(s) of the village.
Phoenix City Code § 22-411 establishes a broad set of exterior maintenance standards for properties subject to Chapter 22, including those that must be registered. The rule requires that yards, structures, pools, and common areas be kept clear of weeds, debris, graffiti, and abandoned-looking accumulations of personal items or materials. Graffiti must be removed or painted over with matching exterior paint, and pools and spas must be kept clean and compliant with applicable codes. Failure to meet these standards can result in a citation, notice of violation, or direct city action to bring the property into compliance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 22-411, compliant property operators generally maintain all exterior areas — front, side, and rear yards — free of weeds, dead vegetation, trash, and discarded personal items that could suggest abandonment. Registrable properties require particular attention: graffiti is addressed promptly through removal or color-matched exterior paint, landscaping is kept watered and trimmed, and pools or spas are maintained to meet applicable water-quality codes. Operators typically document maintenance activities and respond quickly to any citation or notice of violation issued under this section, as the city retains authority to take corrective action at the owner's expense if compliance is not achieved.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 22-411 establishes that landlords, mortgagees, and property owners bear responsibility for keeping the exterior of a property — including yards, structures, and pools — in a clean, maintained condition that does not suggest abandonment. If a rental property appears to fall short of these standards, tenants may report conditions to the City of Phoenix code enforcement division, which has authority to issue citations or notices of violation under this provision. Tenants who believe exterior neglect affects habitability or safety may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid resource to understand how § 22-411 and related codes might apply to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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