BUILDING CODES
BUILDING CODES
New! Effective January 1, 2013, all submittals need to be submitted under the 2012 International Codes and the 2011 National Electrical Codes
Related information:
-
Code Modification (Appeal to the Building Official - all the information necessary to apply for a modification to the building codes
-
City of Tucson/Pima County Outdoor Lighting Code
The purpose of this code is to provide standards for outdoor lighting to protect the nighttime environment for professional astronomers and the public at large.
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
New! The Unified Development Code and its supporting documents – the Administrative Manual and the Technical Standards Manual – went into effect on January 2, 2013. These documents will eventually replace the Land Use Code, Development Standards, and the development review procedures in Chapter 23A of the Tucson Code.
-
Unified Development Code - includes the City’s zoning and subdivision standards
-
Administrative Manual - is a supporting document of the UDC and includes the application submittal requirements, development review fees, and the City Development Review Committee procedure
-
Technical Standards Manual.- is a companion document to the UDC and the Administrative Manual and includes the Historic Preservation Zone design guidelines and engineering related site standards, such as solid waste collection, street design, and detention/retention standards.
Click here for more information on:
- How the UDC and its supporting documents are organized;
-
Where the various regulations are located;
-
The regulatory differences between the LUC and UDC; and
- How the transition to the new documents is going to occur.
LAND USE CODE AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
New! Effective January 2, 2013, the City’s development-related standards are contained in the Unified Development Code (UDC) and its supporting documents (i.e. the Administrative Manual and Technical Standards Manual). These documents will eventually replace the Land Use Code, Development Standards, and the development review procedures in Chapter 23A of the Tucson Code. Applicants who were the landowners on record prior to the effective date of the UDC (i.e. January 2, 2013) can choose to have their project governed by the UDC or the LUC. Projects belonging to applicants who were not the landowners on record prior to January 2, 2013 will be reviewed in accordance with the UDC. See the UDC section above for more information
- Land Use Code (Note: The LUC is only available to applicants who were landowners of the subject property prior to January 2, 2013 and who elect to use the LUC rather than the UDC)
- Development Standards - is a supporting document of the LUC and contains information on CDRC submittals and standards pertaining to historic preservation, transportation, solid waste and much more.
- Development Review Procedures (Chapter 23A of the Tucson Code (located in Part II)
OVERLAY ZONES
NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION ZONES
URBAN OVERLAY DISTRICTS
DOWNTOWN AREA INFILL INCENTIVE DISTRICT (IID)
-
IID Policy Plan (Resolution #20487)
PLANNED AREA DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT PLANS
ENGINEERING RELATED DOCUMENTS/CODES
- Stormwater/Floodplain Ordinance
- Drainage Design Manual (City of Tucson Transportation Department Standard Manual for Drainage Design and Floodplain Management in Tucson Arizona.)
- Stormwater Detention/Retention Manual The purpose of this manual is to provide uniform policies, criteria and methodologies for the planning and design of stormwater detention/retention facilitites within the City of Tucson.
- Transportation Access Management Guidelines
ZONING INTERPRETATIONS
The Zoning Administrator renders the final decision, interpretation and/or determination on the matter when questions occur concerning the content or application of the Unified Development Code (UDC) or the Land Use Code (LUC), whichever is applicable. In making the determination, the Zoning Administrator relies on the purpose of the UDC or LUC section in question. Interpretations and determinations made by the Zoning Administrator can be appealed to the Board of Adjustment in accordance with UDC Sections 3.10.1 and 3.10.2.
Other determinations made by the Zoning Administrator include the classification or reclassification of land uses proposed within the City limits. These land use determinations decide the zoning districts in which the land use may operate and the off-street parking requirements applicable to the land use
OTHER INFORMATION
- Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Cultivation Locations Ordinance 10850
- City of Tucson Residential Green Building and Green Building Checklist
A voluntary Green Building Program for residential (one to three units) structures. - Landfill Development Ordinance
- Water Harvesting Ordinance
- Water Havesting Guidance Manual
The purpose of this manual is to provide basic information and design ideas to developers, engineers, designers and contractors of commercial sites, public buildings, subdivisions and public right of ways. The City of Tucson Unified Development Code includes requirements for water harvesting at these types of developments. The manual will also be useful for those interested in water harvesting on their existing or future home sites.

