Property rights should include control of vegetation

The Legislature often overreaches in dictating what cities can and cannot do. However, restricting the ability of cities to mandate the salvaging of native plants and micromanaging landscaping isn't a case of it.

Protecting property rights is something the Legislature should do and a property right that doesn't include control of vegetation isn't much of a property right.

Turf or desert landscaping should be up to consumer choice. If there is a desire for uniformity within a particular neighborhood, that can be achieved through deed restrictions or other voluntary mechanisms, rather than politicians riding roughshod over what people can do with their property.

The proper role of government in influencing the decision of turf or desert landscaping is in pricing water to reflect its true scarcity, not dictating the vegetation choices of property owners.

Reach Robb at robert.robb@arizonarepublic.com.