Tree Protection in Mesa, AZ (2026)
2 verified tree protection rules for Mesa, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Mesa designates certain trees as heritage trees based on their historical significance, age, species rarity, or ecological value. Heritage trees are tagged and cataloged by the Urban Forestry Division and receive special legal protection. Removal of a heritage tree requires a permit and typically requires replacement planting. Unauthorized removal of a heritage tree can result in significant fines and mandatory mitigation.
Mesa Heritage & Protected Tree Rules
Heavy 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 ...
Parkway Planting
Mesa requires common area, parkway, and median landscaping inside the Desert Uplands Area to draw at least 50% of its plant material from the Preferred Desert Uplands Plant List, with the remainder from the Acceptable list: turf is discouraged, and developers are encouraged to push the Preferred share to 90%.
Mesa Desert Uplands Parkway Planting Standards
Some RestrictionsMesa City Code, Title 9, Chapter 6, § 9-6-6(I)(3)
3.Plant Material. A minimum of 50% of the plant material used for common area, parkway, and median landscaping shall be selected from the Preferred Desert Uplands Plant List, and the remainder selected from the Acceptable Desert Uplands Plant list. Developers are encouraged to select at least 90% of the plant material used for common area, parkway, and median landscaping from the Preferred Dese...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mesa city rules.
Tree Protection in Maricopa County →