Tucson Tree Removal Permit & Ordinance Guide
Pima County, Arizona
Protected Tree Definition
Tucson Unified Development Code (UDC) Section 7.6 (Landscaping, Screening and Native Plant Preservation) requires a Native Plant Preservation Plan (NPPP) for development on sites with protected native plants. All new development subject to landscape and native plant inventory. No universal DBH threshold — protection is species- and site-based under the Sonoran desert plant list.
Protected Species
Heritage / Landmark Trees
Protected native plants are inventoried and assigned preservation, transplant, or salvage status per UDC 7.6. No separate heritage designation; the native-plant preservation framework substitutes for a DBH-based heritage program.
Permit Requirements
Native Plant Preservation Plan (NPPP) required at development application. Existing protected plants must be preserved in place, transplanted on-site, or salvaged. Work on street trees requires Transportation and Mobility coordination.
Who can apply: Property owner or authorized agent; NPPP typically prepared by Arizona-registered landscape architect, biologist, or qualified desert plant specialist
Required Report Sections
Native Plant Inventory with species, size, condition, location; preservation/transplant designation for each protected plant; replacement landscape plan
Replacement Requirements
UDC 7.6 establishes preservation-in-place percentages and transplant/replacement standards; replacement required when preservation is not feasible
Preserve-in-place preferred; transplant on-site next; replacement with equivalent native species when transplant fails or is infeasible. Arizona Native Plant Law applies independently on undeveloped land.
Fees & Fines
Processing Time
4-8 weeks as part of development review
Required Certifications
Arizona-registered landscape architect or qualified desert plant specialist; ISA Certified Arborist for arborist assessments
Municipal Code
Tucson Unified Development Code Section 7.6 (Landscaping, Screening and Native Plant Preservation)
View full ordinanceContact
Planning and Development Services Department
(520) 791-5550
Nearby Cities in Pima County
Other Arizona cities
Compare with nearby cities
Data last verified: April 2026. This information is provided as a reference. Always verify requirements directly with Tucson before submitting permits or reports.
Ready to apply? How to apply for a permit in Tucson →
See Arizona replacement obligations compared: How Tucson's replacement ratio ranks in Arizona →
See Arizona heritage criteria compared: How Tucson's heritage designation ranks in Arizona →
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