How to apply for a tree removal permit in Tucson, Arizona

A 5-step walkthrough drawn from Tucson's tree-protection ordinance. For the underlying DBH thresholds, protected-species list, and full fee schedule, see the city ordinance page.

Expected processing time: 4-8 weeks as part of development review. Plan removal timing accordingly — emergency-tree provisions may differ.

  1. 1

    Determine if your tree is regulated

    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. Heritage / landmark designation: 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.

  2. 2

    Determine who must apply

    Eligible applicants in Tucson: Property owner or authorized agent; NPPP typically prepared by Arizona-registered landscape architect, biologist, or qualified desert plant specialist.

  3. 3

    Prepare your assessment report

    Your assessment report must include: Native Plant Inventory with species, size, condition, location; preservation/transplant designation for each protected plant; replacement landscape plan. Required certifications: Arizona-registered landscape architect or qualified desert plant specialist; ISA Certified Arborist for arborist assessments.

  4. 4

    Submit to the permitting department

    Submit your application and assessment report to Planning and Development Services Department. Typical processing time: 4-8 weeks as part of development review. Reference the full ordinance at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Permits-and-Codes/Unified-Development-Code-UDC.

    View the full Tucson ordinance

  5. 5

    Plan for replacement obligations

    Replacement ratio: 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.

Where to file

Planning and Development Services Department

(520) 791-5550

Other Arizona permit walkthroughs

See Arizona replacement obligations compared — how Tucson's replacement ratio ranks against the rest of the state.

See Arizona heritage criteria compared — how Tucson's designation rules stack against the rest of the state.

Compare with nearby cities

Need an arborist report for your Tucson permit?

Capture an ISA TRAQ Level 1, 2, or 3 assessment in the field and export a municipality-ready PDF that fits Tucson's required report sections. Free, no account required.

Start a TRAQ assessment