Building a casita in Scottsdale, Arizona

How the state ADU law applies in Scottsdale

Scottsdale has a population well above 75,000, so it's covered by Arizona's new state ADU statute. That means the city is required to allow, on any single-family lot:

• At least one attached accessory dwelling unit (part of your existing home).
• At least one detached accessory dwelling unit — a true backyard casita.
• A third detached ADU on lots of one acre or more, if one unit is deed-restricted affordable.

The baseline Scottsdale must follow

• Size: up to 1,000 sq ft on lots ≤ 10,000 sq ft; the lesser of 3,000 sq ft or 10% of net lot area on larger lots — and never more than 75% of the main home's gross floor area.
• Setbacks: Scottsdale cannot require setbacks greater than 5 feet.
• Parking: Scottsdale cannot require additional off-street parking beyond what the primary home has.
• Owner-occupancy: Scottsdale cannot require you to live in the main house.
• Materials: Scottsdale cannot require exterior materials that match the primary dwelling.
• Height / coverage: Scottsdale cannot impose stricter height or lot-coverage limits on the ADU than on the primary home.

Scottsdale-specific rules

• Scottsdale adopted its ADU ordinance — Ordinance 4687 — in September 2025, replacing the old guest-house rules that banned full kitchens.
• Short-term rental twist: if you want to rent either the main home or the ADU short-term, Scottsdale requires the owner to live on-site in the other unit. Investors renting both short-term are out.
• Scottsdale requires separate utility metering, which typically adds $8,000–$15,000 to project cost (this is the figure reported as of late 2025 — confirm current requirements with the city).

What a Scottsdale casita costs

Scottsdale builds run higher than the metro Phoenix baseline. Expect finishes, design review, and separate metering to push the price up. A mid-range 600 sq ft casita in Scottsdale runs roughly $200,000 — sometimes more once landscaping and design-review revisions are included. The full range and drivers are in our Arizona casita cost guide.

Financing a Scottsdale build

Because Scottsdale projects tend to be larger and more expensive, homeowners often lean on renovation loans, construction-to-permanent financing, or HELOCs rather than paying cash. Compare the trade-offs in our financing guide, and read up on HOA rules — much of North Scottsdale is HOA-governed.

What still varies by city

Even though the state sets the baseline, Scottsdale's specific permit process, submittal checklist, plan-review timeline, and impact fees are set locally. Building codes, mechanical requirements, and utility connection rules are also administered by Scottsdale and its utility providers. Confirm the details with the Scottsdale planning department before you sign anything with a builder.

HOAs still matter in Scottsdale

Big chunks of Scottsdale sit inside HOA-governed neighborhoods. The state ADU law does not override private HOA covenants (CC&Rs). Read yours before you start. Our HOA rules page walks through exactly what to look for.

Practical steps for Scottsdale homeowners

• Pull your CC&Rs and confirm your neighborhood permits detached ADUs (or that you have no HOA).
• Call Scottsdale planning and ask for their current ADU submittal checklist under the new state statute.
• Get a survey. Setbacks are 5 feet minimum — no guessing.
• Line up financing before you commission plans. See our financing guide.
• Get at least two contractor bids with itemized scope.

What a casita costs in Scottsdale

Costs in Scottsdale track the metro Phoenix baseline: roughly $150 to $300+ per square foot, with most detached builds landing between $150,000 and $300,000 all-in. Utility runs, site conditions, HOA design requirements, and contractor overhead drive most of the variance. Read the full Arizona casita cost guide.