8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Pima County, Arizona.
Verified from official government sources
Pima County has no specific grass-height ordinance for unincorporated areas. Most properties in the Sonoran Desert region have xeriscape or native desert landscaping rather than turf grass. Weed and vegetation abatement may apply when overgrown lots create fire hazards.
Pima County may protect native desert trees (palo verde, ironwood, saguaro). Street trees are city property. Proper pruning preserves shade in extreme heat.
Saguaro removal requires state permits (ARS §3-904) throughout unincorporated Pima County. Native plant protections apply on development sites per county zoning code. Unauthorized saguaro removal is a Class 4 felony.
Pima County Code Chapter 7.21 addresses nuisance vegetation and weed abatement in unincorporated areas. Properties with overgrown weeds creating fire or health hazards may receive abatement notices. The county can abate at owner expense after notice and noncompliance.
Tucson Water and the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) regulate water use in the Tucson Active Management Area, which covers most of Pima County. ADWR Assured Water Supply rules (ARS 45-454) require new subdivisions to demonstrate a 100-year water supply. Tucson Water enforces stage-based drought restrictions.
Arizona actively encourages rainwater harvesting. AZ HB 2675 protects homeowners from HOA prohibitions on rainwater collection systems. Pima County and the City of Tucson have been national leaders in rainwater harvesting policy. No permit required for residential cisterns under 2,500 gallons.
Pima County Zoning Code Chapter 18.72 (Native Plant Preservation) requires protection and salvage of certain native plants during development. Saguaro cacti, ironwood, palo verde, and mesquite are specifically protected. Arizona Native Plant Law (ARS 3-901 et seq.) requires permits to destroy or relocate protected plants.
A.R.S. § 3-904 — Destruction of protected plants by private landowners
A. 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 secti...
Pima County has no ordinance prohibiting or specifically regulating artificial turf in unincorporated areas. Synthetic turf is increasingly popular as a water-conservation measure in the Sonoran Desert climate. HOA communities may have specific rules on artificial turf installation and appearance.
4 cities in Pima County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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