Does Coconino County, AZ have its own heritage & protected trees ordinance?

No. Coconino County, AZ does not appear to have a local heritage & protected trees ordinance, Arizona state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Arizona Revised Statutes.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Coconino County

Coconino County, AZ Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Approach: Forest protected as system
Highest Priority: Ponderosa 18"+ DBH
Method: Point-based survey threshold
Goal: Reduce wildfire risk

Summary

Flagstaff does not use a classic heritage-tree list; instead its Resource Protection Standards safeguard the ponderosa pine forest as a natural resource, prioritizing the largest pines and requiring protection plans on development sites.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Coconino County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

This division provides standards for the protection of natural resources, including floodplains, steep slopes, and forest.

Source: Arizona Revised StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Rather than designating individual landmark trees, Flagstaff protects its forest as a system. The Resource Protection Standards (Zoning Code Division 10-50.90) rate forest resources on a point system and set thresholds for how much must be retained, giving highest priority to large ponderosa pines, those 18 inches DBH or more, plus native tree stands and forest connected to floodplains and steep slopes. A stated goal is managing healthy, sustainable forests to reduce fire risk. Coconino County likewise weighs forest resources in development review. Large trees on development sites cannot simply be cleared without a plan and mitigation.

Violations & Fines

Removing high-priority forest or large ponderosa on a Flagstaff development site without an approved resource-protection plan triggers mitigation, replanting, and code enforcement under Division 10-50.90.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Flagstaff have heritage or landmark trees?

Not in the traditional single-tree sense. Flagstaff instead protects the ponderosa forest as a resource, prioritizing the largest pines and requiring protection plans and mitigation on development sites.

Which trees get the most protection?

The largest ponderosa pines, 18 inches in diameter or more, along with native tree stands and forest connected to floodplains and steep slopes, under Flagstaff's point-based resource survey.

Sources & Official References

[1]Arizona Revised Statutes

Other rules in Coconino County

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesFew Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Coconino County rules

Compare Coconino County to another location·View the Arizona tree protection overview

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