Tree Replacement Requirements: Marana vs Tucson
How do tree replacement requirements rules compare between Marana, AZ and Tucson, AZ?
Marana and Tucson 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 →Tucson, AZ
Pima County
Tucson requires replacement or mitigation when protected native trees and plants are removed during development. The Native Plant Preservation Ordinance mandates salvage and transplantation of protected species when feasible. When transplantation is not possible, developers must provide replacement plantings or contribute to a mitigation fund. The city encourages the use of native and drought-adapted species for all replacement plantings.
View full Tucson rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Marana | Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Requirement | - | Replace or mitigate for protected species |
| Preference | - | Salvage and transplant when feasible |
| Species | - | Native and drought-adapted preferred |
| Water | - | Rainwater harvesting supports new plantings |
| Enforcement | - | COO may be withheld |
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.
Tucson FAQ
Do I have to replace trees I remove during construction?
If you remove protected native species during development, you must salvage and transplant them when feasible or provide replacement plantings. The replacement requirements are determined during development review based on the species and quantity removed.
What type of replacement trees does Tucson prefer?
Tucson strongly prefers native, drought-adapted species for all replacement plantings. Desert-adapted trees like palo verde, mesquite, and desert willow are ideal choices that align with the city's water conservation and native plant preservation goals.
Compare other topics
See how Marana and Tucson compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool