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Are You Licensed to Practice as a Landscaper in Phoenix?

According to Title 32 of Arizona Revised Statutes, any Landscaper carrying out a landscape project worth over $1,000 in Phoenix must be duly licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). The Arizona Registrar of Contractors reserves the right to refuse to issue licenses to any individual who bids for landscaping projects worth more than $1,000 without obtaining a license one year after the bid date.

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors offers three types of landscaping license, which includes:

• Residential Landscaper - R-21
• Commercial Landscaper - C-21
• Dual license - CR-21

To be eligible for any of the contractor licenses mentioned above, the applicant must identify a qualifying party - an individual who is regularly employed and possesses the experience and skills provided under A.R.S. 32-1122(E). The qualifying party must meet the relevant license requirement for the type of license the applicant requires. License requirements usually include passing the Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE) and possessing at least four years of experience. In addition to the license requirement, the qualifying party must complete a trade exam specific to the contractor license type through PSI unless the qualifying party is eligible for a waiver. Then, the applicant and the qualifying party must complete a criminal background check through an online Licensing Background Check page provided by ROC.

It is important to note that contractor licenses are issued only to legal entities. As such, the applicant must form a legal business entity like partnerships or limited liability companies recognized by the Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC). Applicants can use the online resources provided by AZCC to guide them through the process of starting a business. Then, the applicant must purchase a contractor's bond, which may be a surety or cash bond, and provide proof of purchase to ROC. Once all the license requirements are checked, the applicants can complete the license application via the Online Customer Portal or download and complete a License Application Form. The applicants can send the completed form, government-issued ID of both them and the qualifying party, and the applicable fee for the relevant license type via mail to:

Alternatively, the applicants can book an appointment online to enable them to submit the completed application form, fees, and ID in person at:

For more information regarding the licensing requirement for contractors in Phoenix, you can contact the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at (602) 542-1525. Meanwhile, you can use the AZ ROC Contractor Search to verify your intended landscape contractor's current and valid license.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Landscapers in Phoenix?

Knowing how much your intended landscaper charges per hour helps you plan toward the most suitable budget. Typically, Phoenix landscapers charge $14 per hour. However, how much you will spend on your project will be determined by the nature and scope of your project, the cost of materials like flowers and seeds, the size of the project area, the labor required, and the landscaper's experience. This is why it is advisable to get estimates from at least three different landscapers to enable you to pick the landscape contractor that is most suitable for your project. Also, it helps reduce your chances of being overcharged by the landscaper.

Landscapers in Phoenix earn an average wage of $31,010 annually. The table below provides a cost comparison of the average hourly wages of landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Phoenix against the rest of Arizona and other major American cities:

Do You Comply with the Phoenix Landscape Ordinance?

The Phoenix Zoning Ordinance establishes regulations and standards for landscape projects in the city. The Ordinance governs land use in the city for landscape projects to ensure an adequate and appropriate residential and commercial setting. For instance, landscaping in multi-family dwellings is required to be up to the following standards:

• Adjacent to public street right-of-way, the required building setbacks must be landscaped and maintained except for driveway entrances and sidewalks
• Interior property lines are to be landscaped and maintained except for driveway entrances or sidewalks
• Where required side and rear yards are not occupied by swimming pools, structures, parking, or driveway, they must be included in the landscaped area.
• The landscaped area must have a water source with an appropriate permanent water distribution system.
• The landscaping must provide security for ground floor openings subject to compatibility with existing soil conditions.

The Zoning Code also provides the minimum standards to be maintained to ensure the safety, public health, and general welfare of the residents of Phoenix during ongoing landscape projects. All land in the city must be developed in conformity with the standards provided in the Zoning Ordinance. As such, you should ensure that your intended landscape contractor is conversant with the city's Zoning Ordinance provisions applicable to your planned landscape project. You can also direct your queries regarding the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance to the Phoenix Planning and Development Department (PDD) at (602) 262-3111.

Will You Get the Landscaping Permit Required as per Phoenix Code?

Phoenix does not issue landscaping permits for landscaping projects. Nonetheless, you may need to apply for a building permit when planning these projects. Usually, for every construction, addition, or alteration to a new or existing home in Phoenix, you must obtain a building permit from the Phoenix Planning and Development Department (PDD). To be issued a building permit involving landscaping in existing and new developmental projects, you must submit landscape plans to PDD for review. This includes

• New projects with substantial landscaping.
• Substantial amendments to existing buildings with approved landscape plans.
• Projects with designated landscape master plans/specific themes.
• Landscaping issues requiring community input and involvement

Submitting a landscape plan ensures that the quantities, sizes, and varieties of plant materials and the placement of these materials comply with the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance. As such, the applicant must submit landscape plans showing the location, layout, amount, and types of landscape materials to be used, including the ground cover to:

For industrial and commercial projects, the applicants must submit the landscape plans after the preliminary site plan approval project, and the plan must be approved before the final site plan approval. Similarly, the landscape plans for residential projects must be approved before or at the same time the final site plan is approved. When submitting these landscape plans, applicants will be required to pay the requisite submittal fees. For more information regarding the landscape plans, you can use the Landscape Plan Checklist provided by PDD or direct your queries to the Phoenix Planning and Development Department at (602) 262-3111.

Upon due approval of all requisite plans by PDD, the applicant can complete the building permit application process by completing the requisite application form and payment of applicable fees to PDD. For more information regarding the building permit process, contact the Phoenix Planning and Development Department at (602) 262-3111.

What Kind of Landscaping Services Do You Offer?

One of the most critical steps before hiring a landscaper in Phoenix is to confirm they are qualified for the project and have the required equipment to complete the work satisfactorily. Landscapers offer a wide range of services, such as landscape designing, installation, maintenance, softscaping, and hardscaping.

As such, you must confirm the area of specialization of your intended Landscaper and if they can handle the technicalities of your proposed landscape project. If you hire a landscaper who is not experienced enough for your planned projects, you may end up with shoddy landscape work. You should also confirm how much your intended landscaper charges for their service. Listed below are cost estimates for some common landscaping services that are offered in the city:

What are the Best Types of Grass for Lawns in Phoenix?

When planning to change your landscape in Phoenix, you must first consider the type of lawn you want to maintain. Phoenix is known for its arid climate, with sunshine in the city averaging 86 percent annually. With an average high like that, planting the wrong grass on your lawn can mean disaster, so you must ensure you understand the climate before picking the suitable grass. If you plan to plant the grass during the warm season, you can consider the following plants tolerant to heat, like

• Bermudagrass
• Midiron
• Palmetto St. Augustine
• Buffalograss
• Blue grama

Meanwhile, if you are planning to plant during the cool season, you can consider some of these plants:

• Kentucky bluegrass.
• Perennial ryegrass.
• Tall fescue

Always confirm that your preferred landscapers have the know-how to install the appropriate grass and help you maintain it. You can find qualified Landscapers in Phoenix via reputable third-party review websites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google Review. You can also use online directories provided by trade organizations like the National Association of Landscape Professionals to find a Phoenix landscape contractor near you.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Landscapers in Phoenix?

Landscapers in Phoenix are not mandated to carry a general liability insurance policy. Nonetheless, when hiring for your landscaping project, it is advisable to prioritize insured landscape contractors with an active policy. This will shield you from paying out of your pockets for financial and legal liabilities resulting from work-related injuries. You can confirm the insurance status of your intended Landscaper by requesting a copy of their insurance certificate, and you should contact the relevant issuing insurance provider to authenticate it.

Be aware that Phoenix-based landscaping companies must hold a contractor bond (which may be a surety or cash bond) before being licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Contact the ROC at (602) 542-1525 to verify your intended landscaper's bond information.

Finally, Arizona law mandates landscapers to maintain workers' compensation insurance for their employees. For more information regarding worker's compensation in Phoenix, contact the Industrial Commission of Arizona at (602) 542-4661.