PDSD News

UDC Text Amendment approved by Mayor and Council regarding Prohibition of Ornamental Turf

Posted June 9, 2023

On June 6, 2023, Mayor and Council approved Unified Development Code (UDC) amendments to prohibit ornamental turf in new commercial, industrial, institutional, and common areas of residential development in order to support further water conservation measures administered by Planning and Development Services (PDSD) and Tucson Water. This was approved by Mayor and Council with a 7-0 vote.

This proposed amendment was initially directed by Mayor and Council during the October 18, 2022, study session to discuss water conservation measures related to the City Drought Response.

Mayor and Council approve EPA WaterSense Certified Fixture requirements in all new development

Posted June 9, 2023

The proposed amendment to modify the current 2018 International Plumbing Code and 2018 International Residential Code to require the use of EPA WaterSense Certified Fixtures in all development was approved by Mayor and Council with a 7-0 vote on June 6, 2023. The Tucson – Pima Joint Consolidated Code Committee voted 5-0 on May 4, 2023, to recommend approval of the amendments.

Plan Tucson wraps up Phase I Outreach with over 9,000 comments

Posted May 30, 2023

The City of Tucson and Planning and Development Services is in the process of updating the City’s General and Sustainability Plan (Plan Tucson).

Phase I of Plan Tucson outreach spanned from January to May this year and saw broad engagement with 13 workshops and more than 500 participants. Over 900 online surveys were completed, and 400 intercept surveys were collected resulting in over 5,000 comment submissions.

Mayor and Council to hold Public Hearings related to Water Conservation Code Amendments 

Posted May 30, 2023

On June 6, 2023, the City of Tucson Mayor and Council will hold two public hearings on code amendments related to the Prohibition of Ornamental Turf and the requirement to use WaterSense Fixtures in all new development.

  • The Prohibition of Ornamental Turf UDC Amendment proposes to prohibit ornamental turf in all new residential and commercial development stemming from the direction given to PDSD and Tucson Water staff by Mayor and Council at the February 22, 2023, study session.

Mayor and Council approve eight amendments to the Unified Development Code

Posted March 23, 2023

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 following a public hearing on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.  

The approved items and their intended benefits are: 

Improve PDSD Processes

Plan Tucson Community Workshops

Posted February 28, 2023

 

The City of Tucson is updating Plan Tucson, the general plan adopted by Tucson voters in 2013. This update will result in a growth plan that reflects our community’s shared goals and diverse aspirations for the next 20 years. Plan Tucson contains goals and policies that cover a wide range of topics, including housing, water, transportation, parks, community safety, and much more.

Infill Incentive District (IID) updated and renewed by Mayor and Council

Posted December 21, 2022

On December 20, 2022, Mayor and Council unanimously approved an amendment to the Unified Development Code to update and extend the Infill Incentive District (IID) beyond its sunset date of January 31, 2023.

With a focus on incentivizing affordable housing development and continued encouragement of sustainable infill development, pedestrian-friendly, and transit-oriented neighborhoods, and protecting historic and cultural resources, the IID updates include changes to:

Special Exception Process for marijuana dispensaries approved by Mayor and Council

Posted December 21, 2022

On December 20, 2022, Mayor and Council voted 6-1 to approve an amendment to the Unified Development Code to add a Mayor and Council Special Exception land use procedure for marijuana dispensaries wishing to locate the City. This process applies to both medical and adult-use dispensaries and also applies to relocations or certain expansions of existing dispensaries.

This decision follows nine months of stakeholder and public engagement, as well as research and review of other AZ jurisdiction policies.

Development Code Update Public Meetings scheduled

Posted December 19, 2022

The 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. 

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