Pima County Landscaping, Buffering and Screening Standards

Landscaping requirements and performance standards 1) conserve groundwater resources in conformance with the Arizona Groundwater Code by utilizing stormwater and effluent and controlling and reducing runoff and specifying the use of plants from approved lists and 2) protect public health and safety by minimizing air, water and dust pollution, reducing the heat and glare absorbed and radiated by development, conserving energy resources, controlling spread of invasive plants, and protecting air quality by reducing dust emissions.

Landscape designs shall preserve native, on-site vegetation and shall be a primary objective of site planning for development. Specimen plants shall be given particular consideration for retention on site. Trees and shrubs must meet certain size requirements for planting. Landscape designs shall be integrated with improvement plans for the site and make maximum use of site stormwater runoff for irrigation purposes. Requirements for buffer yards and amenity landscaping can be reduced by using stormwater harvesting options like vegetated roofs and porous pavement.