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.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Mesa, AZ
Mesa allows recreational backyard fires under International Fire Code Section 307, adopted in Mesa City Code Title 7. Recreational fires must stay at least 2...
Mesa, AZ
Mesa does not have its own smoke alarm ordinance separate from state and code requirements. Arizona Revised Statutes Sec. 36-1637 requires an approved smoke ...
Mesa, AZ
Mesa has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations on residential property. Mesa Code requires property maintenance b...
Mesa, AZ
Mesa has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, lighting hours, and blower noise are governed by HOA CC&Rs, which apply ...
Mesa, AZ
Mesa has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Installation timing, brightness, and animated displays are governed by HOA CC&Rs in Me...
Mesa, AZ
Mesa requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, plumbing, electrical wiring, or structural roofs under Mesa Building Code and the adopted...
See how Mesa's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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