Peoria, AZ Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Peoria's Desert Lands Conservation Overlay (DLCO), governed by City Code § 21-674, applies to development in areas designated for desert land conservation and requires compliance with a Prohibited Plant Species List under § 21-674(F)(5). The list bans trees such as the bottle tree, most eucalyptus outside the Arid Character Zone, olive, Jerusalem thorn (Mexican palo verde), all pine species, Chilean mesquite in parking areas, African sumac, and fan palm; shrubs including standard oleander and yellow oleander; and groundcovers such as buffel grass, common Bermuda grass (outside private backyards and enclosed courtyards), Lehmann's lovegrass, snakeweed, foxtail barley, and fountain grass.

The code states these species present a distinctly non-desert appearance and pose potential hazards to native vegetation, wildlife, and landscape due to their invasive nature. Developers must give the prohibited list to every buyer within the development under § 21-674(F)(6). A property owner or developer who needs an exception must submit a report from a registered landscape architect and secure a satisfactory recommendation from the Community Services Department before the Zoning Administrator will approve a substitution. Outside the DLCO, Peoria's General Landscape Requirements at § 21-818(11)(d) separately prohibit pollen-producing Mulberry (Morus Alba) and Olive (Olea Europea) trees citywide in all new landscape installations, regardless of zoning district. The DLCO framework dates to Ord. No. 05-44 (2005) and was last amended by Ord. No. 2026-06 (March 3, 2026).