Tucson Landscaping Standards

Standards require that trees that are located in areas of required landscaping must be a minimum of 15-gallon container size. Palms must have a minimum trunk height of five feet from soil line to the bottom of the crown. The code also specifies shading of paved and trees per parking space. Canopy trees planted within and adjacent to vehicular use areas should be planted in a manner that at maturity they afford the greatest amount of shade to the paved areas. When planted within the vehicular use area, trees must be located at the edge and between vehicle spaces, such as the common corner of four perpendicular spaces that face each other (see Figure 5-B, Vehicle Use Area). The minimum required vehicle overhang is three feet with the following exception. When the tree is located at the common corner of four perpendicular parking spaces that face each other, the minimum required overhang is two and one-half feet (2′-6″). The vehicle overhang is measured from the front of the wheel stop to the centerline of the tree.

Ordinance also sets standards for plant maintenance and replacement of dead or removed plants. Any plant material in areas of required landscaping that does not survive must be replaced with an equivalent size and species within 30 days. All dead or removed plant material must be replaced with plant material acceptable under the standards of the xeriscape landscaping standards. Replacement material must be a minimum 15- gallon size for trees and five gallon size for shrubs.