Tucson, AZ Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Tucson City Code Sec. 25-53, "Duty to trim," bars any owner, occupant, or agent in charge of a lot within city limits from letting a tree, shrub, or other vegetation on the property or on the adjoining right-of-way, street, or alley extend over or under the sidewalk space or roadway in a way that interferes with pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or that obstructs the view or light distribution of traffic-control devices or luminaries. The section places an ongoing duty on the responsible party to keep such vegetation trimmed so it does not interfere with reasonable street or alley use.

Sec. 25-54, "Notice to trim," backs this up procedurally: once a city department sends written notice, the owner, occupant, or agent has thirty (30) days to trim the offending trees, shrubs, or vegetation in accordance with the instructions in that notice. A companion provision, Sec. 25-55, uses the same 30-day notice window to require removal of right-of-way vegetation when directed, and separately requires the strip between the property line and the curb to be kept free of rank grass and weeds at all times. None of Sec.

25-53, 25-54, or 25-55 sets its own fine, so enforcement falls to the citywide default in Sec. 1-8(1): a violation of any Code provision lacking a specific penalty is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, up to six months' imprisonment, up to thirty-six months' probation, or a combination, at the city magistrate's discretion, and Sec. 1-8(3) makes each day a violation continues a separate offense. Sec. 1-8(4) allows a judge or hearing officer to substitute community service at $10 per hour against the fine.