Goodyear, AZ Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Species standard
- Low water use required
- Non-approved species
- Needs written Arborist permission
- Banned species
- Eucalyptus, elm, willow, cottonwood, poplar, olive, mulberry
- Right-of-way tree size threshold
- >14 in. trunk circumference at 4.5 ft
- Maintenance duty
- Abutting property owner
Summary
Goodyear City Code Section 27-1-3 requires street trees planted in the public right-of-way to be low-water-use species, and Section 27-1-4 bans eucalyptus, elm, willow, cottonwood, poplar and other listed species outright, with written City Arborist permission needed for anything else.
§ 27-1-3 Acceptable tree species. Acceptable Street Tree Species for the City shall be considered low water use. Species other than those considered low water use may be planted as Street Trees with written permission of the City Arborist.
§ 27-1-4 Prohibited tree species. It shall be unlawful to plant eucalyptus (except microtheca, papuana, krusena, formanii, erythrocorys, spathulata and torquata), elm (except ulmus parvifolia), Indian Rosewood (dalbergia sissoo), willow, cottonwood or poplar trees in any public right-of-way. The planting and replacement of pollen-producing olive trees (olea europaea) or mulberry trees (morus alba) is also prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-1648, passed April 27, 2026).
Full Breakdown
" Section 27-1-3 requires that acceptable street tree species be low water use, though species outside that list can be planted with the City Arborist's written permission. Section 27-1-4 then bans planting eucalyptus (except several named cultivars: microtheca, papuana, krusena, formanii, erythrocorys, spathulata and torquata), elm (except ulmus parvifolia), Indian Rosewood, willow, cottonwood or poplar trees in any public right-of-way, and separately prohibits planting or replacing pollen-producing olive or mulberry trees. Under Section 27-1-7, no person may plant, remove, cut above ground, or disturb any tree in a City-maintained right-of-way, park, or other public place without first obtaining the City Arborist's written permission, and any tree removed with permission must be replaced; planting and maintenance must follow ANSI A-300 standards and ISA best management practices.
Section 27-1-6 assigns irrigation and maintenance of right-of-way street trees abutting a property to that property owner, absent a specific agreement shifting the duty to the City, while median and park trees remain the Parks and Recreation Department's responsibility.
Violations & Fines
Planting a prohibited species listed in Section 27-1-4, or planting, removing, or disturbing a street tree without the City Arborist's written permission under Section 27-1-7, is a civil infraction under Section 27-1-12, subject to a civil sanction under Article 18-1. Topping a street or park tree as a normal practice is separately unlawful under Section 27-1-8, unless the City Arborist determines the tree was storm-damaged or pruning is impractical due to utility conflicts. Interfering with the City Arborist or the City's agents while they plant, prune, spray or remove street or park trees is also unlawful under Section 27-1-10, and rulings of the Arborist may be appealed to the City Manager within 10 business days under Section 27-1-11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What trees can I plant in the parkway strip in Goodyear?
Are any trees banned from Goodyear rights-of-way?
Who maintains the street tree in front of my Goodyear house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Goodyear
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