Mesa protects native Sonoran Desert species under the Arizona Native Plant Law and Mesa Tree Code Title 24. Saguaro, ironwood, mesquite, palo verde, and ocotillo cannot be removed or relocated without permit and salvage compliance.
The Arizona Department of Agriculture administers ARS Title 3 Chapter 7, the Native Plant Law, which protects saguaro and other native desert species statewide. Mesa Tree Code Title 24 layers in a local urban forestry permit and salvage requirement at site development. On vacant land or new subdivisions, a native plant inventory and salvage plan is required before grading. Saguaros over a certain height require special handling. Penalties stack — a single illegally removed saguaro can trigger both state restitution and a Mesa code violation.
Unpermitted removal of saguaros, ironwoods, or mesquites brings Mesa civil penalties and potential ADA prosecution, plus restitution valued at the appraised plant cost.
Mesa, AZ
Mesa designates certain trees as heritage trees based on their historical significance, age, species rarity, or ecological value. Heritage trees are tagged a...
Mesa, AZ
Mesa actively promotes native and drought-tolerant plants through its Grass-to-Xeriscape program and water conservation initiatives. New developments must in...
See how Mesa's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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