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.
Tempe, AZ
Tempe regulates industrial noise through Chapter 20 (Noise) of the City Code and the Zoning and Development Code. Industrial uses must not generate noise exc...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe addresses barking dogs under both the noise ordinance (Chapter 20) and animal control regulations. Dogs that bark persistently and disturb neighbors ca...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe requires vehicles to park on approved hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt driveways. Parking on dirt, gravel, or landscaped areas is prohibited. ...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe generally does not require a building permit for standard residential fences up to 6 feet in height. Fences exceeding 6 feet, masonry walls, and fences...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's Zoning and Development Code regulates fence materials in residential zones. Common permitted materials include block, stucco, wrought iron, wood, vin...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's zoning code limits residential fence heights to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 3 feet in front yards. Corner lots may have additional visibility t...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how Tempe's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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