Pima County, AZ Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Pima County has adopted the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) which establishes defensible space requirements for properties in designated WUI areas. The Catalina Foothills, Tanque Verde Valley, and areas bordering the Coronado National Forest and Saguaro National Park are classified as WUI zones with elevated fire risk. Property owners in these areas must maintain defensible space of at least 30 feet around structures, with recommended clearance of up to 100 feet depending on slope and vegetation density. Native Sonoran Desert vegetation presents unique fire risk challenges -- dense stands of buffelgrass (an invasive species) are particularly fire-prone and can carry wildfire into saguaro habitats. The Pima County Regional Flood Control District and county conservation lands programs address buffelgrass removal. Fire districts serving unincorporated areas (Northwest Fire District, Drexel Heights Fire District, Green Valley Fire District) may impose additional defensible space requirements. The county building code requires fire-resistant materials for new construction in WUI zones.