The Arizona Native Plant Protection Act (ARS Title 3 Chapter 7 Article 1) protects saguaro cactus, ironwood, paloverde, and other native species statewide. Maricopa County zoning Hillside and Desert overlays add development-specific protections.
Under ARS 3-901 through 3-934, the Arizona Department of Agriculture regulates harvest, transport, and destruction of protected native plants including saguaro, organpipe, and other cacti, ironwood, paloverde, mesquite, and ocotillo. Landowners must obtain a Notice of Intent to Clear and tag plants before removal during land development. Saguaro relocation requires permit and tagging. Maricopa County Hillside and Foothills zoning overlays mandate plant inventories, salvage plans, and replacement ratios for native species. Cities such as Scottsdale (Native Plant Ordinance Sec 7.2) and Phoenix (Native Plant Preservation) add stricter local rules. Violations may also trigger federal Endangered Species Act overlap for special-status species.
Destroying or removing protected native plants without state notice and tagging is a Class 2 misdemeanor under ARS 3-932, fines up to $750 per plant and four months jail. Civil penalties run $500 to $5,000 per plant.
Maricopa County, AZ
Maricopa County Department of Transportation establishes loading zones along unincorporated county roads using ARS section 28-873 authority. Yellow-curb comm...
Maricopa County, AZ
Arizona Revised Statutes section 28-873 lets Maricopa County paint curbs to mark parking restrictions but does not lock in color meanings. The county Departm...
Maricopa County, AZ
Unincorporated Maricopa County applies Arizona Revised Statutes Section 36-1637, which requires an approved smoke detector in each new residential housing un...
Maricopa County, AZ
Unincorporated Maricopa County allows two tiers of home-based business under the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance: low-intensity 'residential home occupation...
Maricopa County, AZ
Unincorporated Maricopa County imposes no cap on the number of nights a short-term or vacation rental may operate. Arizona Revised Statutes Section 11-269.17...
Maricopa County, AZ
Federal HUD and EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rules govern lead-hazard work in pre-1978 rentals. Arizona ARS 33-1338 requires written disclosure ...
See how Maricopa County's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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