Tucson protects native desert trees including mesquite, palo verde, ironwood, and saguaro under the Native Plant Preservation Ordinance and the Arizona Native Plant Law. Removing or significantly pruning these species requires a native plant permit or tagging through Arizona Department of Agriculture.
Healthy pruning for clearance and safety is permitted without a permit, but heavy trimming that damages more than 30 percent of the canopy of a protected tree can be a violation. Trees overhanging streets and sidewalks must be kept clear to 14 feet over roadways and 8 feet over sidewalks under Tucson DOT rules. Saguaros, ocotillos, and ironwoods are tagged for protection during construction and may not be destroyed without Arizona Department of Agriculture permit. Private tree removal on developed residential lots for landscaping purposes is typically allowed but subject to HOA rules.
Native plant violations can carry fines up to 1,000 dollars per plant plus replacement requirements. Saguaro damage or destruction can reach 10,000 dollar civil penalties. Sidewalk clearance violations trigger city abatement.
Tucson, AZ
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Tucson, AZ
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Tucson, AZ
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Tucson, AZ
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Tucson, AZ
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Tucson, AZ
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Pima County.
See how other cities in Pima County handle tree trimming.
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