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

Heavy Restrictions

Verified 1 month ago|Source: ARS 3-904 - Protected Native Plants →

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Key Facts

Saguaro Status: Highly Safeguarded (ARS 3-904)
Penalty: Class 4 felony (up to 3.75 years)
Other Protected: Ironwood, palo verde, barrel cactus
Permit Required: AZ Dept of Agriculture tags
County Code: Chapter 18.72 preservation plans

City-specific rules exist: Marana, Sahuarita, Oro Valley, and Tucson have their own heritage & protected trees rules that differ from Pima County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Summary

Saguaro cactus is Highly Safeguarded under ARS 3-904. Destroying one without an AZ Dept of Agriculture permit is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 3.75 years in prison.

Full Breakdown

The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is Arizonas most aggressively protected native plant. Under ARS 3-904 and the Arizona Native Plant Law, the saguaro appears on the Highly Safeguarded list, meaning any harvest, collection, or destruction requires written permission from the landowner and notification tags from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Other highly safeguarded Sonoran Desert species in Pima County include Arizona ironwood (Olneya tesota), desert willow, and numerous cactus species. Pima County Code Chapter 18.72 supplements state law by requiring native plant surveys and preservation plans for all development projects. The county maintains a list of salvage-priority species that must be transplanted when development cannot avoid them. Saguaro arms take decades to grow, and large specimens may be several hundred years old, making them irreplaceable. Even dead saguaro skeletons (ribs) are protected from commercial collection on state land.

Violations & Fines

Destroying a highly safeguarded plant: Class 4 felony under ARS 3-904 (up to 3.75 years imprisonment). Theft of saguaro: Class 4 felony. County development violations: project shutdown, mandatory replacement at 2:1 ratio or greater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really a felony to cut down a saguaro cactus?

Yes. Under ARS 3-904, knowingly destroying, mutilating, or removing a saguaro cactus without an Arizona Department of Agriculture permit is a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to 3.75 years in prison. This applies even on private property.

What other native plants are protected in Pima County?

Arizona ironwood, palo verde, barrel cactus, ocotillo, desert willow, and dozens of other species are protected under ARS 3-904. The protection level varies from Salvage Assessed to Highly Safeguarded, with saguaro receiving the highest protection.

Can I transplant a saguaro on my property?

You must first obtain notification tags from the Arizona Department of Agriculture and may need a licensed salvage contractor. Moving saguaros is risky -- large specimens have low transplant survival rates and the process is expensive.

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

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