Maricopa County regulates certain plants under the Arizona Native Plant Law (ARS §3-904) and noxious weed regulations. Palo Verde, saguaro, and other protected native plants cannot be removed without permits. Several weed species are regulated by the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
Arizona regulates plants in two directions: protecting native species and controlling invasive ones. Under the Arizona Native Plant Law (ARS §3-901 through §3-916), it is illegal to destroy, mutilate, or remove protected native plants (including saguaro cactus, palo verde, ironwood, and mesquite) from any land without a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Property owners must obtain salvage permits before removing protected plants during construction. On the invasive side, the Arizona Department of Agriculture maintains a list of regulated and restricted noxious weeds including: Russian knapweed, yellow starthistle, camelthorn, giant salvinia, and water hyacinth. Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) is a major invasive concern in the Sonoran Desert, including Maricopa County, as it promotes wildfires in desert ecosystems. The county and Arizona Department of Forestry conduct buffelgrass removal programs.
Removing protected native plants without a permit: Class 1 misdemeanor, fines up to $100,000 for saguaros. Failing to control noxious weeds after notice: penalties under ARS §3-201.
Maricopa County, AZ
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Maricopa County, AZ
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Maricopa County, AZ
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See how Maricopa County's prohibited species rules stack up against other locations.
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