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.
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