Chapter 18.72 mandates native plant mitigation for development: avoid removal first, then transplant, donate, or pay into a fund. Trees replaced at minimum 2:1 ratio.
When development in unincorporated Pima County requires removing protected native plants, Chapter 18.72 mandates a mitigation hierarchy: first, avoid removal through site design; second, transplant on-site to landscape areas; third, donate to Pima County or approved salvage nurseries; fourth, pay into the county native plant mitigation fund. Replacement ratios depend on species and size. Saguaro cacti over 4 feet must be transplanted by a licensed contractor with a minimum 2-year warranty. Palo verde and ironwood trees removed must be replaced at a minimum 2:1 ratio with nursery-grown specimens of the same genus. Mitigation plantings must use species native to the Sonoran Desert and be irrigated until established. The Pima County Development Services department reviews and approves all mitigation plans. Post-construction monitoring may be required for larger projects.
Failure to complete mitigation plan: withholding of certificate of occupancy, performance bond forfeiture, and potential criminal referral under ARS 3-904 for destruction of protected plants.
Pima County, AZ
Pima County Code §9.30.070 restricts outdoor construction noise to permitted hours. Concrete work: 5 AM–7 PM (Apr 15–Oct 15) and 6 AM–7 PM (Oct 16–Apr 14). A...
Pima County, AZ
Pima County Code Chapter 9.30 and animal control code (Chapter 6.04) cover excessive animal noise. Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) handles barking dog complai...
Pima County, AZ
Pima County Code Chapter 9.30 prohibits excessive, unnecessary, or offensive noise that disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or causes discomfort ...
Pima County, AZ
Pima County has no outdoor music or amplified sound ordinance for unincorporated areas. ARS 13-2916 applies to unreasonable noise. Event venues may have CUP ...
Pima County, AZ
Pima County Zoning Code Chapter 18.67 regulates fences and walls in unincorporated areas. Front-yard walls max 3 feet in residential zones. Side/rear walls m...
Pima County, AZ
ARS 36-1681 requires 5-ft pool barriers with self-closing, self-latching gates in Pima County. Applies to all pools 18+ inches deep. Door alarms or safety co...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Pima County.
See how other cities in Pima County handle tree replacement requirements.
See how Green Valley's tree replacement requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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