Understanding Home Pet Burial in Maricopa County, Arizona

By: Dr. Geoff McGee, Veterinarian

October 15, 2025

As a mobile in-home veterinary service, we understand that making end-of-life decisions for a beloved pet is one of the hardest experiences a family can face. For many, the desire to bury their cherished companion at home, in a familiar and comforting spot, is a deeply personal part of the grieving process.

If you live in Maricopa County and are considering a home burial, it is absolutely essential to understand the local regulations and the unique challenges posed by our desert environment. Here is a guide to navigating the practical and legal considerations for home pet burial in the Greater Phoenix area.

The Legal Landscape: Local Rules & Ordinances

The first, and most critical, step is understanding the law. In most of Arizona, it is against the law to bury your pet in your backyard. However, local city and town ordinances vary widely.

• Check Your City's Code: It is vital that you check the municipal code for your specific city (Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, etc.) before digging. What is permitted in one jurisdiction may be strictly prohibited in another.

• HOA and Community Regulations: If you live in a planned community, your Homeowners Association (HOA) may have additional bylaws that specifically prohibit any type of burial on your property, regardless of city code. Always check your community's CC&Rs.

• Environmental Concerns: Local laws are designed to prevent contamination of groundwater and to deter predators from disturbing the grave, which is why depth requirements are important.

  
  

The Bottom Line: You must contact your city's animal control or non-emergency city line to confirm if pet burial is legal on your property and what the specific requirements are.

The Physical Challenge: Digging in Desert Soil

Even if your location allows home burial, the unique geology of Maricopa County can turn digging a proper grave into an extremely difficult, if not impossible, project. Our arid Sonoran Desert soil presents two major obstacles:

The Menace of Caliche

The most notorious barrier in our soil is caliche. This is a layer of calcium carbonate that has cemented the soil and rocks together, creating a hard, concrete-like layer. Caliche can be found just inches below the surface and is incredibly difficult to penetrate with a standard shovel or pickaxe. Many residents attempting to dig a grave quickly discover they cannot reach the required 2-4 foot depth without specialized equipment.

Rocky, Compacted Earth

Much of the soil in the Valley is often a mix of sandy loam and a high percentage of gravel and small rocks. The ground is often densely compacted and unforgiving when dry, which is most of the year. Attempting to hand-dig a deep, wide grave in this soil is physically exhausting and often painful, adding an unnecessary layer of stress to a time of mourning.

The Risk of Future Property Development

For those considering pet burial on their property, an important long-term consideration is the future of the home itself. While your intention is to provide a final, peaceful resting place, if you ever plan to sell your suburban home, a future homeowner may decide to undertake significant yard landscaping projects. This could include installing a pool, a large patio, a casita, or adding extensive underground utility lines. Such projects often involve deep digging and could inadvertently unearth your pet's remains, creating a distressing situation for the new owners and disrupting the peaceful rest you intended for your companion. If you aren't planning on staying in your home long-term, or if you anticipate future property development, you should consider alternatives to home pet burial.

Low-Stress Alternatives to Home Burial

Given the legal complexities and the physical challenges of our desert soil, many pet owners in Maricopa County ultimately choose alternative forms of aftercare that allow for a beautiful and respectful farewell without the added stress.

We frequently recommend and work with local partners to provide:

• Individual and Private Pet Cremation: This is the most popular choice. Your pet is

  cremated individually or privately, and their ashes are returned to you in an urn or a beautiful memorial container. This allows you to keep your pet's remains at home, scatter them in a meaningful and compliant location, or take them with you if you ever move. You can find more information on the difference between individual and private cremation on our at-home euthanasia information page.

• Communal Cremation: Your pet is cremated along with other pets, and the ashes are then respectfully scattered on private property in southeastern Arizona.

• Terracotta Clay Pawprints: At McGee Veterinary Service, a terracotta clay paw print is included at no extra charge with individual, private, and communal cremation.

  

  
  

Other options include pet cemeteries or using Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) for disposal. MCACC offers a basic, low-cost disposal service for deceased owned pets. For a small fee (often around $15-$25), the pet owner can bring their pet's body to one of their shelter locations for sanitary disposal, though be aware that this is disposal only and does not include cremation or the return of ashes. This provides an option for families who do not wish to use a private crematory but cannot, or legally cannot, perform a home burial.

Our Compassionate Care is Here for You

At McGee Veterinary Service, we understand that every decision regarding your pet’s final care is made with love. As part of our in-home service, our team can help walk you through all the available aftercare options, including transport for cremation, ensuring you choose a path that is both legally compliant and brings you peace during your time of loss.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to McGee Veterinary Service at 623-396-9185 for a compassionate conversation about your pet’s end-of-life plan.

McGee Veterinary Service offers peaceful at-home pet euthanasia and deceased pet pick up with cremation to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, New River, Anthem, Peoria, Glendale, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Sun City, and Sun City West.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Geoff McGee is the owner of McGee Veterinary Service in Phoenix, AZ. He graduated from WSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017, completed a surgical internship, and founded his mobile in-home veterinary service in 2024 driven by his desire to better care for his senior dog. When not serving the community's pets, Dr. McGee enjoys hiking, camping, and spending quality time with his family.