Section 151.15.003 Native Plant Salvage Requirements
A.   Standards of Design and Development
   1.   Prior to site clearing or grading, developers of any residential subdivision, multi- family residential, commercial, or industrial development 1 acre or larger in size shall be required to salvage native plants (except as identified in subsection 3 below). Significant native plants on the site, as determined by the City, shall be salvaged. The Plant Science Center (PSC) at the University of Arizona South Campus shall provide technical assistance to the City upon request. The developer shall be encouraged to participate in determining which plants shall be salvaged on the site. Said plants shall be transplanted or stored on the site or relocated to another site approved by the City. Upon completion of the project any stored plants may be transplanted on the site or relocated to another site approved by the City. The City will also permit donation of salvaged plants to the PSC, and the PSC may permit an exchange of salvaged plants with plants stored at the PSC, depending on availability and level of sponsorship.
   2.   During the site planning process, consideration shall be given to limiting disturbance to native plants on the site to the greatest extent possible.
   3.   Developers of residential and commercial subdivisions may be allowed to meet the intent of this Section through the establishment of open space to consist of a minimum of 15 percent of the site. The area shall be identified during the platting process and shall clearly be identified on the plat. Land set aside as open space in a Planned Area Development may be used to achieve both goals concurrently. Native plant salvage will not be required of commercial properties where the 15 percent open space requirement has been met.
   4.   The developer shall submit a written salvage plan, on forms provided by the City, outlining the method they will use to comply with this Section.
   5.   The City and PSC personnel will review the proposed salvage plan during the processing of commercial or industrial site plans, preliminary subdivision plats, or building permit applications, as applicable.
   6.   Depending on the size and nature of the site, the City shall either require that a professional salvager be hired to salvage plants or allow the developer to salvage plants, or a combination of both.
   7.   The PSC at the University of Arizona South Campus will make every effort to contribute their expertise to the salvage operation. If personnel are available, they
will visit the site, help assess the salvage potential of the plants on the site, teach techniques, and provide consultation with the owner or developer regarding on-site care of salvaged plants. PSC personnel will also provide consultation on the re- introduction of salvaged plants to the site.
   8.   The City and PSC personnel will utilize the list of native plants identified in Section 151.15.003.A.11as a guideline to determining the native plants which shall be salvaged. Such factors as plant health, plant location, plant size, plant age, type of development, access requirements, grading requirements, and other considerations will be used to determine which plants will be salvaged.
   9.   Salvaged plants in a healthy condition, as determined by the City, may be used to meet Code Section 151.15.004.A.8, which requires that 15 percent of commercial, multi-family residential, and industrial areas shall be landscaped, provided the plants are used on the site and meet the minimum size criteria for trees and shrubs as defined in this chapter. Any plant materials not surviving shall be replaced within 180 days of notice from the City to replace the plant materials.
   10.   Notwithstanding the requirements identified in Section 151.15.003.A.1 above, the following list of native plants shall be considered for salvage:
•   Agaves (SPP)*
•   Cacti (SPP)
•   Yucca (SPP)   
•   Dasylirion Wheeleri (Sotol, Desert Spoon)
•   Ocotillo   
•   Nolina Microcarpa (Beargrass)   
•   Allium (Desert Onion)   
•   Larrea Tridentata (Creosote)   
•   Lycium (SPP)
•   Rhus (SPP) (Sumacs)   
•   Prosopis (SPP) (Mesquites)   
•   Chilopsis Linearis (Desert Willow)   
•   Native grasses (site specific)   
•   Wildflowers (site specific)   
•   Seed collection (site specific)   
* SPP = species
(Ord. 1100, passed 10-28-99; Am. Ord. 2003-021, passed 11-25-03; Am. Ord. 2018-002, passed 2-8-18)