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Marana, AZ Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Tree removal permit rules in Marana, AZ, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.

Key Facts

State Law
ARS 3-904 (Arizona Native Plant Law)
Protected Trees
Ironwood, palo verde, mesquite, saguaro
Permit Authority
Arizona Department of Agriculture
Development
Salvage plan required
Non-Native Trees
No state permit needed

Summary

Removing protected native plants including saguaro cacti, ironwood, and palo verde trees requires a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture under ARS 3-904. Marana Land Development Code requires native plant salvage plans for new development.

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 section of the intended destruction at least:

(a) Twenty days before the plants are destroyed over an area of less than one acre.

(b) Thirty days before the plants are destroyed over an area of one acre or more but less than forty acres.

(c) Sixty days before the plants are destroyed over an area of forty acres or more.

4. The protected plants are destroyed within one year of the date of destruction disclosed in the notice given the department in paragraph 3 of this subsection.

B. The notice under subsection A, paragraph 3, subdivision (a) may be oral or written. The notice under subsection A, paragraph 3, subdivisions (b) and (c) must be in writing. The notice under subsection A, paragraph 3, whether written or oral, shall include:

1. The name and address of the owner of the land and, if the owner is not a resident of this state, the name and address of the owner's agent in this state to be contacted regarding the destruction or salvage of the native plants.

2. The earliest date that destruction of the protected native plants will begin.

3. A general description of the area in which the protected native plants will be destroyed.

4. Whether the owner intends to allow salvage of the plants to be destroyed.

Source: ARS 3-904 - Arizona Native Plant LawView official code

Full Breakdown

Tree removal in Marana is governed primarily by the Arizona Native Plant Law (ARS 3-904), which protects saguaros, barrel cacti, ironwood trees, palo verde, mesquite, and other native species. Removing, destroying, or transplanting any protected native plant requires a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. The Marana Land Development Code requires developers to submit native plant salvage and preservation plans as part of the site plan review process, identifying all protected plants on the development site and detailing which will be preserved in place, transplanted, or removed with a permit. Individual homeowners who wish to remove a saguaro or other protected tree from their property must also obtain a state permit. Non-native ornamental trees are not protected under state law and may be removed without a permit, though HOA architectural review may apply.

Violations & Fines

Illegal removal of protected native plants: Class 4 felony for saguaros (ARS 3-904). Fines up to $100,000. Development without salvage plan: stop-work order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Marana?
Protected native trees (ironwood, palo verde, mesquite) and cacti (saguaro, barrel) require a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Non-native ornamental trees do not require a state permit.
What is a native plant salvage plan?
A plan required for new development that identifies all protected native plants on the site and specifies which will be preserved, transplanted, or removed with appropriate permits.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Marana

All Marana rules

Compare Marana to another location·View the Arizona landscaping rules overview

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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Pima County handle tree removal & heritage trees.

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Oro Valley, AZ
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