4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Pima County, Arizona.
Verified from official government sources
Pima County Code Ch. 18.72 requires permits for native plant removal during development. ARS 3-904 makes destroying saguaro, ironwood, or palo verde without an ADA permit a Class 4 felony.
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...
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.
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...
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.
Pima County protects native plants through Ch. 18.72 and Ch. 18.67 (riparian habitat), plus ARS 3-904. Buffer zones protect desert washes and the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan guides land use.
4 cities in Pima County have their own tree protection rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Protected Tree Species
4 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Tree Ordinances
4 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Tree Ordinances
4 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Tree Ordinances
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