Tree Replacement Requirements: Green Valley vs Sahuarita
How do tree replacement requirements rules compare between Green Valley, AZ and Sahuarita, AZ?
Sahuarita has fewer restrictions than Green Valley.
Green Valley, AZ
Pima County
Chapter 18.72 mandates native plant mitigation for development: avoid removal first, then transplant, donate, or pay into a fund. Trees replaced at minimum 2:1 ratio.
View full Green Valley rules →Sahuarita, AZ
Pima County
Sahuarita requires replacement or mitigation when native vegetation is removed during development, guided by the Chapter 18.73 landscaping standards that establish a clear mitigation hierarchy prioritizing preservation, then on-site transplanting, and finally replacement with nursery-grown native stock from the Town approved plant list. For projects disturbing riparian habitat along the Santa Cruz River and its tributaries, Chapter 18.65 Riparian Habitat Mitigation Standards impose specific replacement ratios and mitigation measures beyond the standard landscaping requirements. The Arizona Department of Agriculture separately requires that landowners document protected native plants destroyed on private property through the state notification process and offer salvageable specimens to the Department or approved salvage operators before destruction occurs.
View full Sahuarita rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Green Valley | Sahuarita |
|---|---|---|
| Code Chapter | 18.72 (Native Plant Preservation) | - |
| Priority | Avoid > transplant > donate > pay | Preserve > Transplant > Replace |
| Replacement Ratio | Minimum 2:1 for trees | - |
| Saguaro Transplant | Licensed contractor + 2-year warranty | - |
| Review Authority | Development Services Department | - |
| Plant Source | - | Town-approved plant list |
| Riparian Standards | - | Ch. 18.65 mitigation required |
| Town Code | - | Ch. 18.73 landscaping standards |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Green Valley FAQ
What happens to native plants when land is developed in Pima County?
Chapter 18.72 requires developers to first try to preserve plants in place, then transplant them on-site, donate them to salvage programs, or pay into a county mitigation fund. Replacement ratios of at least 2:1 apply for protected trees.
Who pays for native plant transplanting during development?
The developer or property owner bears all costs of native plant surveys, transplanting, replacement plantings, and post-construction monitoring required under Chapter 18.72.
Sahuarita FAQ
Does Sahuarita require planting new trees when native trees are removed?
Yes. Chapter 18.73 requires that when native vegetation cannot be preserved in place, it must be transplanted on-site first. If transplanting is not feasible, replacement with container-grown native species from the Town approved plant list is required. Riparian areas along the Santa Cruz River have additional mitigation ratios under Chapter 18.65.
Can I use non-native trees as replacements?
The Town strongly favors native desert plants and requires selection from the approved plant list emphasizing drought-tolerant Sonoran Desert species. Non-native ornamental species may be permitted in limited circumstances but the code directs that landscape design promote use of transplanted on-site desert plants and native inorganic groundcovers.
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