Plans help shape the development and future of Tucson. Plans in Tucson range from the General Plan, which guides a broad range of topics and the development of other plans, to more specific plans such as Area Plans and Neighborhood Plans which focus on a localized level.
There are over 50 adopted plans across Tucson. They contain policies related to land use, future development, transportation and connectivity, open space, housing, water, and other topics.
The development of new plans must be initiated by Mayor & Council. Amendments to adopted area or neighborhood plans can be initiated by Mayor & Council or by a property owner within the plan area.
Plans help shape the development and future of Tucson. Plans in Tucson range from the General Plan, which guides a broad range of topics and the development of other plans, to more specific plans such as Area Plans and Neighborhood Plans which focus on a localized level.
There are over 50 adopted plans across Tucson. They contain policies related to land use, future development, transportation and connectivity, open space, housing, water, and other topics.
The development of new plans must be initiated by Mayor & Council. Amendments to adopted area or neighborhood plans can be initiated by Mayor & Council or by a property owner within the plan area.
Plan Tucson Document (effective 11/13/2013)
- Plan Tucson Goals & Policies(PDF, 3MB) (PDF)
- Future Growth Scenario Map(PDF, 41MB) (PDF)
- Guidelines for Development Review(PDF, 90KB) (PDF, 10 pages)
- Plan Tucson - entire document (PDF, 248 pages)(PDF, 106MB)
- Cover, Formal Actions, Table of Contents, List of Exhibits, Photo Credits, Acknowledgments(PDF, 4MB) (PDF, 7 pages)
- Chapter 1 - Introduction(PDF, 1MB) (PDF, 4 pages)
- Chapter 2 - Planning Context and Plan Goals(PDF, 4MB) (PDF, 21 pages)
- Chapter 3 - Focus Areas & Policies(PDF, 44KB) (PDF, 1 page)
- The Social Environment(PDF, 22MB) (PDF, 46 pages)
- The Economic Environment(PDF, 11MB) (PDF, 30 pages)
- The Natural Environment(PDF, 12MB) (PDF, 26 pages)]
- The Built Environment(PDF, 36MB) (PDF, 58 pages)
- Chapter 4 - Plan Implementation & Administration(PDF, 3MB) (PDF, 19 pages)
- Glossary(PDF, 127KB) (PDF, 5 pages)
- Appendices(PDF, 13MB) (PDF, 28 pages)
- Plan Tucson Working Files
Read and download the 2001 General Plan(PDF, 4MB)
Current Plan Tucson Update Project Website
2022 Plan Tucson Update
The City of Tucson is currently in the process of updating Plan Tucson, the City of Tucson General & Sustainability Plan, which voters adopted in November 2013
In November 2022, Mayor and Council approved the Community Engagement Program(PDF, 2MB) to start the process of updating Plan Tucson.
Over the coming years, community members will have the opportunity to develop a 20-year plan for Tucson, reflecting our shared goals and diverse aspirations. The goals and policies spelled out in the next Plan Tucson will be used to guide the City’s investments, programs, policies, and land-use decisions over the next two decades.
During the first phase of community outreach during Spring 2023, Tucson residents will be asked to share their priorities and vision for the future of our City. This is an opportunity for the community to learn about the City’s recent efforts, assess our challenges and needs, and guide Tucson’s long-term direction.
Plan Tucson will be on the ballot for voter approval in November 2025.
Community Engagement Program(PDF, 2MB)
Plan Tucson Update Project Page
2021 Progress Report
The City of Tucson has released a Progress Report that details key accomplishments in achieving the goals of Plan Tucson since the previous Progress Report was issued in 2019. The Progress Report highlights accomplishments related to the four focus areas of Plan Tucson, and a special section on our City’s pandemic response as it relates to Plan Tucson's goals and policies.
2021 Progress Report
El Informe de Avances del Plan Tucson 2021
2019 Progress Report
In May 2019, the City released a Progress Report detailing key accomplishments in achieving the goals of Plan Tucson over the past five years.
The 2019 Progress Report highlights key achievements in the more than five years since the plan was adopted, including the opening of the SunLink streetcar, revitalization of downtown, construction of new affordable housing, designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, expansion of our job base, safeguarding of our long-term water supply, and more.
Check out the report below to read about our accomplishments in the first five years after the General Plan was adopted, as well as the City’s ongoing initiatives to implement Plan Tucson's goals and policies.
Plan Tucson 2019 Progress Report(PDF, 1MB)
Area and neighborhood plans are considered “specific plans” and are meant to implement General Plan policies on more localized level. There are over 50 adopted specific plans (area, neighborhood, redevelopment and sub-regional plans) across the City. These plans contain policies related to land use, future development, transportation and connectivity, open space, and other topics.
The development of new plans must be initiated by Mayor & Council. Amendments to adopted plans can be initiated by Mayor & Council or by a property owner within the plan area.
View Tucson Area & Neighborhood Plans
A PAD is a zoning option that allows greater flexibility in uses and development than standard zones. Examples of projects that have utilized the PAD option include hospital campuses, major retail and office centers, and mixed-use developments.
View PADs
A collection of studies, plans, and reports that have helped shape our city’s development.
Studies & Reports