Alley Maintenance

The two most common alley-related topics that come up for neighborhoods are alley maintenance and the city’s Gated Alley Program.

Alley Maintenance Does Matter.

First, The City of Phoenix does not maintain alleys. Second, litter and overgrown weeds provide cover for trespassers to hide. Keeping alleys clear of litter, blight, overgrown weeds, storage, etc. eliminates this cover and makes access for residents safer. Second, in addition to city ordinances which require regular alley maintenance by homeowners—keeping alleys clear of litter/blight, graffiti, overgrown weeds, etc. sends a message to trespassers and criminals that our community is cared for and our residents are vigilant.

Owner/Renter Responsibilities:

  • Clean up trash and litter.

  • Remove weeds and overgrown grass.

  • Clean up and remove of illegal dumping (yes, really!).

  • Do not store items in the alley

  • Maintain and clean the side yard (outside your fence) if you are on the end of the block.

  • Report illegal activity, blight, graffiti, encampments, and other violations.

Security Tips:

  • Plant thorny shrubs along the wall.

  • Install the street number on alley-facing wall to easily identify the property address in an emergency.

  • Clearly post "No Trespassing", "Private Property", or “No Dumping” signs.

  • Use security lights to startle intruders.

  • Regularly keep an eye on the alley to notice any illegal or suspicious activity.

Standard Alley Responsibility Boundaries

ABOVE: Illustration of alley maintenance division among residents on the same alley.

Alley Responsibility Boundaries Along Drainage Channel

ABOVE: Illustration of alley maintenance division among residents on the same alley along the Sweetwater/Dahlia Stormwater Drainage Channel.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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:

    1. The accumulation of solid waste

    2. Trees, shrubs, or brush impeding pedestrian or vehicular traffic; and

    3. Other conditions that present a health, fire, or safety hazard.

    B.—The areas required to be maintained pursuant to this section are:

    1. Any portion of a street, that has been opened for public use, between the curb line and the abutting property line including sidewalks.

    2. One-half the width of abutting alleys from the property line to the centerline of the alley.

  • Yes!

    Gates can be installed on eligible alleys through the City of Phoenix Gated Alley Program.

    See the Gated Alley Program page for more information.