Development Code Update

Mayor and Council Approve Code Package UDC Amendments

Mayor and Council voted 5-0 to approve eight amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) as part of the Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) Code Update Package after a public hearing on Tuesday March 21, 2023.

The approved items and their intended benefits are:

Improve PDSD Processes

1. Allow Administrative Special Exception for certain Water Well Upgrades 
2. Remove the PDSD Director Decision Process for Wireless Communication Facilities (WCFs) that are co-located 
3. Create additional option with more public input for requests for Major Change of Rezoning Conditions

Remove Barriers to Small-scale Infill 

4. Remove Setback Requirements between Townhouse Units 
5. Reduce Parking Requirements for Small Multi-family Residential 
6. Allow Accessory Structures in front yards for shade and carports 

Simplify Development Standards on Corridors

7. Standardize Building Setbacks on Major Streets and Routes 

8. Correct Minor Code Errors 

More than 10 members of the public spoke at the public hearing to provide input to Mayor and Council. Speakers expressed support for these items to allow for more housing options in Tucson, greater multi-modal options, clearer development standards, and streamlined processes. Many written comments on the proposal were also submitted to Mayor and Council.

The code update package was reviewed by the Planning Commission in February, which recommended approval of all eight items.

Additional components of the PDSD Code Update Package are part of the Administrative and Technical Manual sections, which continue to follow a different process for approval. These items are also intended to improve PDSD processes:

• Reduce Development Package (DP) Requirements for smaller projects
• Require Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Inventory in parking calculations
• Align Timeframe for Grading Permits with Development Packages

The full PDSD Code Update Package proposal is a result of nine months of community engagement that included an online survey, city staff interviews, public meetings, and monthly updates to Tucson Development Center stakeholders. Early outreach resulted in over 130 suggested updates to the development code. Although not all suggestions were part of this initial proposal, they may be considered in a future proposed update.

Mayor and Council Public Hearing on March 21, 2023

A public hearing on the Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) Code Update package Unified Development Code (UDC) Amendment is scheduled during the Mayor and Council Meeting on March 21, 2023, after 5:30pm.

The full agenda, proposal materials, as well as information on how to comment on the proposal and attend the meeting will be available on the following webpage about a week in advance:  https://www.tucsonaz.gov/gov/meeting-schedules-and-agendas

• Watch a recording of the discussion
• When available, the meeting summary / legal action report will be posted here 

The proposed items in this current UDC amendment package are as follows:

Improve PDSD Processes​

1. Allow Administrative Special Exception for certain Water Well Upgrades ​
2. Remove the PDSD Director Decision Process for Wireless Communication Facilities (WCFs) that are co-located ​
3. Require Zoning Examiner Legislative Procedure for Major Change of Condition ​​

Remove Barriers to Small-scale Infill ​

4. Remove Setback Requirements between Townhouse Units ​
5. Reduce Parking Requirements for Small Multi-family Residential ​
6. Allow Accessory Structures in front yards for shade and carports ​​

Simplify Development Standards on Corridors​

7. Standardize Building Setbacks on Major Streets and Routes ​​

Correct Minor Code Errors ​

Planning Commission Public Hearing on February 15, 2023

The City of Tucson Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on February 15, 2023, at 6pm to review and make a recommendation to Mayor and Council on the Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) Code Update package UDC Amendment. That meeting will be held virtually via zoom. All information for accessing the meeting, along with the agenda and materials may be found on the Planning Commission website here, approximately one week prior to the meeting

If you would like to provide comment to the Planning Commission, you may do so in the following ways:

1. Members of the public may submit written comments before the hearing by sending an email to PlanningCommission@tucsonaz.gov. The email should include the Planning Commission public hearing date and your name.

Or mail comments to:

City of Tucson Department of Planning and Development Services

201 N. Stone Avenue, 3rd Floor

Tucson, Arizona, 85701

Written comments must be received no later than 5:00 pm Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

2. Individuals wishing to speak during the hearing should submit a written request to PlanningCommission@tucsonaz.gov. Written requests should be received by no later than 5:00 pm Tuesday, February 14, 2023. The email should include the Planning Commission public hearing date, your name, and the phone number you will use for the teleconference if you are calling in. Individuals wishing to speak but who did not submit a prior written request will be provided instructions by the Planning Commission at the time of the hearing on how to provide comments.

Public Meetings Materials - Proposed Development Code Update

In January 2023, PDSD held two public meetings - one virtual and one in-person - to discuss possible changes to the City's development code. Staff gave a presentation on the processes needed to amend these documents, stakeholder engagement conducted to date, and proposed updates. Questions and clarifications were discussed in both meetings. Online and printed comment forms were also distributed for additional feedback. Approximately 65 participants attended the online meeting and 25 attended in person. 

• View the presentation

• Watch a recording of the virtual meeting

• Share your thoughts on the current proposal in this survey

• Meeting summary

Development Code Update Public Meetings

Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) is currently working on updates to improve our development codes including the Unified Development Code, Technical Standards Manual, Administrative Manual, and other related codes and standards.

We hope you’ll join a virtual or in-person public meeting to learn about and provide feedback on potential code updates. 

VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM 
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Please register in advance for the virtual meeting:
https://bit.ly/UDCVirtualPublicMeeting

IN-PERSON 
Thursday, January 12, 2023
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sentinel Building 310 N Commerce Park Loop
Tucson, Arizona 85745
Please RSVP for the in-person meeting: 
https://forms.office.com/g/6q48LpQjHe

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

Background

On June 7, 2022, Mayor and Council provided direction to begin code updates to streamline PDSD processes (materials from that study session can be found here). This update includes stakeholder outreach, surveys, and public meetings to review updates in the following areas:

• Improve PDSD Processes
• Remove Barriers to Small-scale Infill
• Simplify Development Standards
• Correct Minor Code Errors

Click here for more information on each proposed update area.

A package of updates will be finalized based on public feedback before being presented to Planning Commission and Mayor & Council in early 2023.

Stay tuned for more information about virtual and in-person public meetings to learn about and provide feedback on potential code updates.

Initial Outreach

Through early outreach and an online survey open from July to October 2022, over 130 responses were recorded as suggested updates to the development code. Although not all suggestions will be part of this initial proposal, they may be considered in a future proposed update.

Click here to review the list of responses organized by benefit area.