Landscaping Rules in Mesa, AZ (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Mesa, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Mesa may protect native desert trees (palo verde, ironwood, saguaro). Street trees are city property. Proper pruning preserves shade in extreme heat.
Mesa Tree Trimming Rules
Some RestrictionsAriz. Rev. Stat. § 3-904 (Native Plants - Protected)
This chapter does not prevent the destruction of protected native plants or clearing of land or cleaning or removing protected native plants by the owner of the land or the owner's agent if: 1. The land is in private ownership. 2. The protected native plants are not transported from the land or offered for sale. 3. The owner or the owner's agent notifies the department pursuant to this section ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Mesa's landscaping ordinance sets minimum tree sizes for new development, a quarter of required trees must be 36-inch box or larger and half 24-inch box, with none smaller than 15-gallon, plus species-diversity caps and mandatory replacement of any tree that dies.
Mesa Landscape Tree Size & Diversity Rules
Some RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 11, Chapter 33, § 11-33-2
B.Tree Size. Required trees shall be the minimum size specified below:1.A minimum of 25% of the total required trees shall be 36-inch or larger box trees.2.A minimum of 50% of the total required trees shall be 24-inch box trees.3.No trees shall be smaller than 15-gallon size. ... G.Selection of Plant Materials... 3.Shading Requirements. Trees designated to meet shading requirements shall provid...
Weed Ordinances
Mesa caps weeds and grass at 9 inches on developed parcels and 12 inches on undeveloped parcels under City Code § 8-6-3(O), once the overgrowth covers more than 10 percent of the lot or 50 square feet on developed land. The duty reaches alleys and frontage the owner maintains, and exempts hidden rear yards, grazing land, and feed-crop parcels.
Mesa Max Weed and Grass Height Limits
Some RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 8, Chapter 6, § 8-6-3(O)
(O)The responsible party of a parcel of land within the city, including alleys and frontage areas under their responsibility, shall not allow thereon weeds or grass which occupy more than 10 percent or 50 square feet, in total area of a developed parcel to attain a predominant height in excess of 9 inches, or more than 10 percent of the area of an undeveloped parcel to attain a predominant heig...
Water Restrictions
Filling a decorative lake or watering a large turf facility from Mesa's water system requires a City Lake Permit under Mesa City Code § 8-10-7(A), on top of any Arizona Department of Water Resources approval. The permit sets source-water, evaporation-control, and depth conditions and can be revoked if they lapse.
Mesa Lake and Turf Facility Water Permit
Significant RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 8, Chapter 10, § 8-10-7(A)
(A)It shall be unlawful for any Person or entity to fill a Body of Water or to apply water for landscaping watering purposes on a Turf-related Facility without first obtaining a Lake Permit from the City, the Arizona Department of Water Resources as required by A.R.S. § 45-132, and this Section.
Native Plants
Mesa actively promotes native and drought-tolerant plants through its Grass-to-Xeriscape program and water conservation initiatives. New developments must incorporate low-water landscaping under the zoning code.
Mesa Native Plant and Xeriscape Promotion
Few RestrictionsAriz. Rev. Stat. § 3-904 (Native Plants - Protected)
This chapter does not prevent the destruction of protected native plants or clearing of land or cleaning or removing protected native plants by the owner of the land or the owner's agent if: 1. The land is in private ownership. 2. The protected native plants are not transported from the land or offered for sale. 3. The owner or the owner's agent notifies the department pursuant to this section ...
Composting
Mesa's zoning code doesn't restrict backyard composting on ordinary residential lots, but community gardens, a permitted zoning use under § 11-31-10, must keep composting screened from view. Section 11-31-10(F) requires all composting on a community garden site to be done in a screened area or within a container.
Mesa Community Garden Composting Rules
Light RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 11, Chapter 31, § 11-31-10(F)
F.Maintenance. The site shall be kept clear of weeds, debris and waste in conformance with Mesa City Code, Section 8-6-3. All composting shall be done in a screened area or within a container. All tools and equipment shall be stored or screened from view when not in use.
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mesa city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Maricopa County →