Homeowners Associations (HOAs) exercise power over residential landscape structure and management, which has implications for the sustainability of urban ecosystems and resources. This study focuses on Maricopa County Arizona which encompasses the city of Phoenix. As an arid environment, Phoenix is sensitive to landscape structure requirements that determine resource consumption. This is primarily differentiated by the use of native, drought tolerant landscaping versus the mesic turf grass landscaping that requires more resource inputs. This study identifies the location of HOAs and examines content of landscaping rules and regulations codified in subdivision Covenants, Codes, and Restrictions (CCR) documents to determine how and where HOAs exert influence over residential ecology and resources. We found that, HOAs constituted approximately 40% of the single family residential subdivisions in our sample and most frequently regulated pets and pests, landscape structure, water resources, and albedo. The number of HOAs, CCR length, and number of clauses regulating landscape structure and management practices have generally increased over time. CCR language was generally permissive using words like “may” instead of “required,” suggesting potential to encourage environmental best management practices. This study informs a larger study of residential landscape ecology where high resolution land-cover imagery will be used to determine the extent that HOAs rules are enforced.