Heritage & Protected Trees: Green Valley vs Oro Valley
How do heritage & protected trees rules compare between Green Valley, AZ and Oro Valley, AZ?
Green Valley and Oro Valley have similar restriction levels.
Green Valley, AZ
Pima County
Saguaro cactus is Highly Safeguarded under ARS 3-904. Destroying one without an AZ Dept of Agriculture permit is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 3.75 years in prison.
View full Green Valley rules →Oro Valley, AZ
Pima County
Saguaros are protected under ARS 3-904 -- destroying one is a Class 4 felony (up to $100,000 fine). Town Code Chapter 24 adds local preservation requirements.
View full Oro Valley rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Green Valley | Oro Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Saguaro Status | Highly Safeguarded (ARS 3-904) | - |
| Penalty | Class 4 felony (up to 3.75 years) | Prison time and fines up to $100,000 |
| Other Protected | Ironwood, palo verde, barrel cactus | - |
| Permit Required | AZ Dept of Agriculture tags | - |
| County Code | Chapter 18.72 preservation plans | - |
| Saguaro Protection | - | Class 4 felony to destroy (ARS 3-904) |
| Local Code | - | Town Code Chapter 24 preservation requirements |
| Priority Preservation | - | Saguaros over 6 ft given highest priority |
| Other Heritage Species | - | Palo verde, ironwood, velvet mesquite |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Green Valley FAQ
Is it really a felony to cut down a saguaro cactus?
Yes. Under ARS 3-904, knowingly destroying, mutilating, or removing a saguaro cactus without an Arizona Department of Agriculture permit is a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to 3.75 years in prison. This applies even on private property.
What other native plants are protected in Pima County?
Arizona ironwood, palo verde, barrel cactus, ocotillo, desert willow, and dozens of other species are protected under ARS 3-904. The protection level varies from Salvage Assessed to Highly Safeguarded, with saguaro receiving the highest protection.
Can I transplant a saguaro on my property?
You must first obtain notification tags from the Arizona Department of Agriculture and may need a licensed salvage contractor. Moving saguaros is risky -- large specimens have low transplant survival rates and the process is expensive.
Oro Valley FAQ
Who enforces this in Oro Valley?
Oro Valley Code Compliance at (520) 229-4700.
Who enforces this in Oro Valley?
Oro Valley Code Compliance at (520) 229-4700 handles most complaints.
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