No, chopping down a cactus in your Virginia yard is not illegal or a felony. Unlike Arizona’s strict protections for native saguaro cacti on state and federal lands, Virginia lacks similar statewide prohibitions on private property cacti.​
Arizona Context
Arizona classifies intentional saguaro cactus damage as a felony due to their cultural and ecological value, with penalties up to 25 years for severe cases on public lands.[ from prior context] This stems from specific statutes safeguarding native species.
Virginia Rules
Virginia’s plant laws focus on invasive species labeling for retail sales, effective 2027, and noxious weeds—but cacti aren’t listed as protected or invasive. On private yards, you can remove non-native or personal cacti without restriction, subject to basic property maintenance ordinances.
Potential Limits
Local zoning might restrict major landscaping changes if visible from public areas, or HOA rules could apply. Native rare plants (none typically cacti) may need permits, but everyday yard cacti face no felony risk.
