Maricopa County does not have a heritage tree ordinance for unincorporated areas. Arizona's Native Plant Law (ARS 3-901+) protects certain native species including saguaro and ironwood trees regardless of heritage status. No county-specific heritage or landmark tree designation program exists. Individual trees are protected based on species under state law, not age or size.
Maricopa County has no heritage or landmark tree designation program for unincorporated areas, meaning individual trees are not protected based on their age, size, or historical significance. However, Arizona's Native Plant Law (ARS 3-901 through 3-934) provides strong protection for native desert species including saguaro cacti, ironwood trees, palo verde, and mesquite of certain trunk diameters. Removing a protected native plant without a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Property owners planning land clearing or development should conduct a native plant inventory and obtain necessary salvage permits. The Sonoran Desert habitat in unincorporated Maricopa County contains saguaros that can be over 150 years old, and damaging or destroying them carries fines up to $100,000 under state law.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Maricopa County code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Maricopa County, AZ
Maricopa County Department of Transportation establishes loading zones along unincorporated county roads using ARS section 28-873 authority. Yellow-curb comm...
Maricopa County, AZ
Arizona Revised Statutes section 28-873 lets Maricopa County paint curbs to mark parking restrictions but does not lock in color meanings. The county Departm...
Maricopa County, AZ
Unincorporated Maricopa County applies Arizona Revised Statutes Section 36-1637, which requires an approved smoke detector in each new residential housing un...
Maricopa County, AZ
Unincorporated Maricopa County allows two tiers of home-based business under the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance: low-intensity 'residential home occupation...
Maricopa County, AZ
Unincorporated Maricopa County imposes no cap on the number of nights a short-term or vacation rental may operate. Arizona Revised Statutes Section 11-269.17...
Maricopa County, AZ
Federal HUD and EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rules govern lead-hazard work in pre-1978 rentals. Arizona ARS 33-1338 requires written disclosure ...
See how Maricopa County's heritage & protected trees rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.