Tree Replacement Requirements: Marana vs Sahuarita
How do tree replacement requirements rules compare between Marana, AZ and Sahuarita, AZ?
Marana and Sahuarita have similar restriction levels.
Marana, AZ
Pima County
Marana Land Development Code Section 17-11-5 requires that protected native plants removed during development be replaced through transplant-on-site (TOS) or preservation-in-place (PIP) methods. Plants that cannot be preserved must be salvaged and offered for adoption or donated.
View full Marana 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 | Marana | Sahuarita |
|---|---|---|
| PIP/TOS Requirement | 30-100% depending on species | - |
| Saguaro/Ironwood | 50% must be preserved or transplanted | - |
| Code Section | Section 17-11-5 | - |
| Plant List | Section 17-11-6 | - |
| Non-viable Plants | Must be offered for salvage | - |
| Priority | - | Preserve > Transplant > Replace |
| 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.
Marana FAQ
What happens to native plants that cannot be saved during development?
Plants that are not viable for preservation-in-place or transplant-on-site must be offered to the Arizona Department of Agriculture salvage program or donated to qualified nonprofits. They cannot simply be destroyed without exhausting salvage options.
Do replacement trees have to be native species?
For areas governed by the native plant preservation plan, replacement plantings must come from the Marana Protected Native Plant List in Section 17-11-6. General landscape areas under Section 17-11-7 must prioritize drought-tolerant species.
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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