Alley Maintenance
The City of Phoenix does not maintain alleys.
Property Owners or Renters are responsible for alley maintenance, including:
Cleaning up trash and litter
Removing weeds and overgrown grass
Clean up and removal of illegal dumping (yes, really!)
Side yard (outside your fence) if you’re on the end of the block
ABOVE: Example of a well maintained alley. This is how all alleys should look—there is no trash or litter, weeds or overgrown grass—and any criminal activity or illegal dumping is immediately visible.
Does alley maintenance matter?
Yes!
In addition to city ordinances that require it—litter, blight, and overgrown weeds send a message to trespassers and criminals that neither residents nor the city care what goes on in our community.
Keeping alleys clear of litter, blight, and overgrown weeds makes pedestrian and vehicular access for residents safer and significantly reduces the risk of a fire in the alley.
Accumulated litter and overgrown weeds and grasses also provide cover to help trespassers hide or blend in.
What if I’m disabled, or I can’t afford to hire help?
The City of Phoenix offers Compliance Assistance to homeowners who are physically or financially unable to maintain their property.
Homeowners must meet program eligibility requirements.
For more information, contact our Neighborhood Specialist using the City of Phoenix Contacts page.
What if my entire alley is a disaster?
When the entire alley is a mess, that’s a great opportunity to organize a group clean up of the alley with your neighbors. The City of Phoenix can provide dumpsters and weedeaters free of charge to make the process easier. Send an email to alleys@shawbuttephx.org for more information about organizing a clean up in your alley.
City of Phoenix
Municipal Code Section 27-16
A.—The owner and any responsible party in control of any land abutting a sidewalk, alley, or street must maintain the sidewalk, alley, or street free from:
The accumulation of solid waste
Trees, shrubs, or brush impeding pedestrian or vehicular traffic; and
Other conditions that present a health, fire, or safety hazard.
B.—The areas required to be maintained pursuant to this section are:
Any portion of a street, that has been opened for public use, between the curb line and the abutting property line including sidewalks.
One-half the width of abutting alleys from the property line to the centerline of the alley.
