Development Ordinances & Design Standards

The city’s development ordinances and design standards are the guidebooks for implementing the vision for the future of Surprise – from open space to housing density to building types.

UPCOMING CHANGES:
The Surprise City Council approved the adoption of Land Development Ordinances (LDO) and Planning and Engineering Design Standards (PEDS) at the December 15 City Council Meeting following a more than two-year process that engaged both residents and developers.

This comprehensive update of the city’s LDO and PEDS replaces the previous Surprise Unified Development Code and goes into effect 30 days following the December 15 vote, on or about January 14, 2021.

Land Development Ordinances (Approved Dec. 15; Effective Jan. 14)
Planning & Engineering Design Standards (Approved Dec. 15; Effective Jan. 14)

Surprise Unified Development Code 

All ordinances related to development in the city of Surprise can be found here:

City of Surprise Code of Ordinances

Design Standards

Use the links below to review the city’s current design standards:

Planning and Design Guidelines
Surprise Rural Development Standards and Design Guidelines Study
Single-Family Residential Home Product Design Guidelines
Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines