No, chopping down a cactus in your Nevada yard is not a felony under state law, unlike Arizona where protected species like saguaros require permits and unauthorized removal can result in felony charges based on the plant’s value.​
Arizona Protections
Arizona’s Native Plant Law (ARS §3-932) classifies cutting, removing, or destroying protected cacti like saguaros as a crime, escalating to a Class 4 felony if valued at $1,500 or more, with penalties up to several years in prison and fines. Even on private property, landowners must notify the Arizona Department of Agriculture for a permit and tag before removal, as these slow-growing plants (up to 200 years lifespan) are state-protected.​
Nevada Rules
Nevada lacks statewide felony protections for cacti on private property; instead, local ordinances in areas like Las Vegas or Clark County regulate native plant removal through development permits or environmental reviews, treating violations as misdemeanors or civil infractions. Homeowners can generally trim or remove non-protected cacti in their yards without felony risk, but check city codes for species like those in Red Rock Canyon areas, which may require salvage assessments.
SOURCES
[1](https://northamericancommunityhub.com/its-illegal-to-cut-cactuses-in-arizona/)
[2](https://jovant.com/blogs/state-local-regulation/arizonacactusfines-protectdesertplantswithapolesaw)
[3](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-02-26/border-wall-saguaro-cactus)
[4](https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/criminal-defense/arizona/)
[5](https://www.allenlawaz.com/blog/five-things-you-didnt-know-were-crimes-in-arizona)
