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

The Oro Valley Zoning Code incorporates native plant protection standards that align with ARS 3-904, the Arizona Native Plant Law administered by the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Saguaro cacti are classified as highly safeguarded native plants and cannot be removed, destroyed, or transplanted without a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture and compliance with Town development standards. Ironwood trees received special protection under the Arizona Native Plant Law in 2003. Oro Valley development projects must submit a Native Plant Preservation Plan as part of site plan review, identifying all protected plants on the parcel and outlining salvage and transplanting strategies. The Town Zoning Code requires replacement of native trees and cacti that cannot be preserved in place with specimens of equivalent size or caloric value. For residential properties, removal of non-protected ornamental trees generally does not require a permit, but removal of protected native species does. The Town works with the Arizona Department of Agriculture for enforcement of the state native plant law. Illegal removal of a saguaro can result in penalties under both state and local law, including fines up to $100,000 and imprisonment under ARS 3-904.