PURPOSE
Tucson Unified Development Code § 7.7.2
in effect7.7.2. PURPOSE
These standards provide for the preservation, protection, transplanting, and replacement of existing designated native plants including cacti, succulents, trees, and shrubs through the establishment of comprehensive procedures, requirements, and standards that protect the public health, safety, and general welfare by:
A. Preserving a sense of place through the potential enhancement of the community’s appearance from public streets
Street
Any permanent public or private right-of-way, other than an alley, access lane, or parking area access lane, set aside to accommodate vehicular travel lanes, parking lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian facilities, utility areas, and other such design features, whether designated as a street, drive, highway, thoroughfare, road, boulevard, avenue, lane, or place.
and between incompatible land uses
Land Use
A description of the existing or proposed occupancy or utilization of land that include the principal use and accessory uses.
;
B. Maintaining property values, the quality of life, and lifestyles valued and enjoyed by the community through the preservation of the unique Sonoran vegetation;
C. Contributing to economic development
Development
Any human alteration to the state of land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, or hydrology, for any residential, commercial, industrial, utility, or other use, such as, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, or grading of land, and structural improvements, e.g., buildings, walls, fences, signs, and vehicular use areas.
through the maintenance of a regional identity that attracts tourism and new businesses, while promoting business retention and expansion;
D. Improving air quality through the preservation of mature vegetation that removes carbon monoxide and filters dust and particulates from the air;
E. Promoting water conservation through retention of existing drought-tolerant vegetation
Drought Tolerant Vegetation
Low water-use plants which, after they are established, can survive within the Sonoran Desert climate with little or no supplemental watering.
that requires no supplemental irrigation;
F. Assisting in climate modification and reducing energy costs through the use of native vegetation
Native Vegetation
Plants indigenous to the site and to areas contiguous to the site.
to shade buildings
Building
A structure having a roof supported by columns, posts, or walls and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of any person, entity, animal, process, equipment, goods, or materials of any kind or nature.
, streets
Street
Any permanent public or private right-of-way, other than an alley, access lane, or parking area access lane, set aside to accommodate vehicular travel lanes, parking lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian facilities, utility areas, and other such design features, whether designated as a street, drive, highway, thoroughfare, road, boulevard, avenue, lane, or place.
, sidewalks
Sidewalk
A constructed pedestrian circulation path meeting, at a minimum, the specifications for construction listed in this code or the Technical Manual.
, and other outdoor areas;
G. Retaining vegetative features of habitats that are important to native wildlife species; and,
H. Stabilizing desert soils by minimizing soil erosion
Erosion
The wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of air, water, ice, or other disturbances.
through preservation of or revegetation
Revegetation
Establishment of plants at a density similar to what exists under similar topographic and soil conditions.
with native plants.
Source: City of Tucson, Tucson Code (Charter and General Ordinances) and Unified Development Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tucson/latest/tucson_az_udc/0-0-0-6177Fetched: 10/28/2026