Casita & ADU Builders in Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale allows an attached and a detached casita on most single-family lots, with its own rules on size, placement and owner occupancy. We check your lot, run the city’s approval steps, and build it for you.
Licensed & insured Arizona contractor · ROC #367533
What Scottsdale Allows on Your Lot
Scottsdale updated its ADU rules in 2025 to comply with Arizona’s new casita law. These are the numbers that shape most Scottsdale plans. Your zoning and lot can change them, so we confirm everything for your address before you spend on design.
Source: City of Scottsdale Planning & Development ADU page and FAQ sheet. Rules change, so confirm with us before you rely on this for your lot.
Scottsdale Rules That Catch Homeowners Off Guard
The owner has to live on the property to rent it short term
Scottsdale lets you rent a casita separately, but if it’s rented, leased or used as a vacation or short-term rental, the owner must live on the premises.
Separate meters, entrance and address
Each casita needs separately metered electric and gas, its own exterior entrance, a walkable path to the street, a unique address, and private outdoor space at least 5 ft deep and 50 sq ft. Water and sewer share the existing tap and split on your property.
No selling or splitting the lot
A casita can’t be sold separately, and the lot can’t be subdivided to make room for one. Parking for the main home must be kept in place.
Hillside and preserve areas
Northern Scottsdale lots often carry natural area open space (NAOS). A casita can’t be built inside it, which can decide where on the lot yours can go.
Existing casitas aren’t grandfathered
An older unpermitted casita has to meet today’s rules and get approved. An existing guest house can be converted to an ADU if it meets the requirements.
We Check Your Lot First
Zoning, setbacks, open space areas, utilities and the 10 ft separation, confirmed for your address before you pay for design.
We Run the City’s Steps
Scottsdale reviews casitas in stages. We prepare each submittal so you aren’t guessing what comes next.
How We Build Your Scottsdale Casita
- Free consultation. Tell us how you’ll use the space: guests, family, rental or office.
- Lot check. We confirm zoning, setbacks, open space areas and utilities.
- Pre-application. We submit Scottsdale’s online pre-application with your site plan, elevations and utility information, then attend the pre-application meeting with city staff.
- Administrative approval. We submit the formal application for the city’s administrative review.
- Permit & construction. After approval we submit construction documents, then build.
- Final inspection & handoff. We close out inspections and walk you through your casita.
Your Vision, Our Expertise
Guest suite, home office, rental or multigenerational living: see what a casita can become.
EXCELLENT
I highly recommend Maricopa Casitas! They are professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely care about helping homeowners create the right space for their needs. What really impressed me was the level of communication and organization throughout the process.
Maricopa Casitas stands out for the quality, professionalism, and genuine care they bring to their projects. Jim and Donda are thoughtful, detail-oriented, and clearly take pride in creating a great experience from beginning to end.
Working with Maricopa casitas was a great experience! I highly recommend working with them on your next build. They were knowledgeable, communicative, and transparent every step of the way.
Jim and his crew do amazing work and are amazing people! Would highly recommend them and their work!
Scottsdale Casita Questions
How big can a casita be in Scottsdale?
The first ADU can be up to 1,000 sq ft or 75% of the main home’s size, whichever is less. Any additional ADU on the lot is limited to 500 sq ft.
How many casitas can I build on a Scottsdale lot?
One attached and one detached ADU per single-family lot. A third detached ADU is allowed only on a lot of at least one acre, and at least one unit must be a restricted-affordable ADU.
Can I rent out my Scottsdale casita?
Yes, Scottsdale allows an ADU to be rented separately from the main home. If it is rented, leased or used as a vacation or short-term rental, the owner must live on the property.
Can I build a casita in northern Scottsdale or near the preserve?
Often, but not inside natural area open space (NAOS), which is required in the northern parts of the city. We check your lot’s open space and setbacks before design.
Can I convert my Scottsdale guest house into an ADU?
An existing guest house can be converted if it meets the ADU requirements and the city approves it. Existing unpermitted casitas are not grandfathered and must meet current rules.
What is Scottsdale’s casita approval process?
You submit an online pre-application and attend a meeting with city staff, then submit a formal application for administrative review. After approval you submit construction documents and the building permit is issued once code requirements are met.
Does Maricopa Casitas handle Scottsdale permits?
Yes. We prepare and submit the pre-application, the formal application and the construction documents as part of your build.
Thinking About a Casita in Scottsdale?
Tell us your address and what you want to use the space for. We’ll tell you what your lot allows and what it will take.
Or call 602-921-7071