 On August 5, 2026, the Mayor and Council adopted regulations for large-scale data centers within the City of Tucson with a 6-1 vote. Prior to this, no land use regulations specific to large-scale data centers existed in the City of Tucson. These regulations were developed through a year-long public process that included extensive community engagement, consultation with technical experts, and input from the Planning Commission. The regulations establish a public review process for proposed large-scale data centers that includes neighborhood coordination, a public hearing, review by the Zoning Examiner, and final consideration by the Mayor and Council. Under the new regulations, large-scale data centers are among the most highly regulated land uses within the City.
The regulations establish development standards for large-scale data centers that:
- Define large-scale data centers and establish a review process through existing Planned Area Development (PAD) and Planned Community Development (PCD) zoning processes
- Establish enhanced separation distances between large-scale data centers and residential areas, commercial and office uses, and other sensitive locations
- Require applicants to study sound impacts, install noise barriers, and adhere to operational noise limits
- Require facilities to have access to adequate water and power supply, and mandate disclosure of their energy mix, including renewables
- Require environmental reviews, as well as enhanced green space and open space with substantial landscaping around facilities
- Provide the opportunity to protect sensitive lands off-site at a 2:1 ratio, at the discretion of the Mayor and Council
The new regulations for large-scale data centers go into effect on September 4, 2026.
Visit the large-scale data centers webpage to learn more.
 Through the Community Ordinances & Development Enhancements (CODE Tucson '26) initiative, the Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD) continues to work toward modernizing and streamlining several development-related codes and standards, including the Unified Development Code, Technical Standards Manual, Administrative Manual, and related sections of the Tucson City Code. As part of this effort, the Living Landscapes initiative is advancing amendments to strengthen stormwater capture, expand tree canopy and shade, and adopt a Tucson-specific native plant list, updating how commercial developments capture rainwater and which plants they water.
PDSD staff is refining feedback from two community meetings, public surveys, and input from stakeholders and community members, including a virtual stakeholder roundtable held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. This input will inform a list of proposed amendments to be recommended to the Planning Commission during its Study Session scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Following the study session, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing before sending its recommendation to Mayor and Council.
Study session materials will be posted approximately one week prior to the meeting on the CODE Tucson '26 project webpage, the Living Landscapes webpage, and the Planning Commission website.
 PDSD, in partnership with AIA Southern Arizona, is conducting a Middle Housing Design Competition funded by a 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant.
How the Design Competition Works:
- Architects, engineers, designers, builders, contractors, design-build teams, and students are invited to submit middle housing design plans that meet the criteria and comply with the requirements by Monday, September 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Any individual or firm can submit up to four designs.
- A selection committee will evaluate each design submission. This evaluation and the results of a public survey will determine the 15 selected designs, each of which will be awarded $1,000, funded by AARP.
- Selected designs submitted for permitting as model plans will have building review fees waived.
Designers retain ownership of their plans.
- Pre-approved Model Plans will be displayed in an online gallery with images, descriptions, and information about the designer.
Middle housing options like duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes fit between single-family homes and larger apartment buildings, offering more housing choices that blend into existing neighborhoods.
For more information about middle housing, the design competition, or how to submit your design, visit middlehousing.tucsonaz.gov.
This project was made possible due to the generous support of AARP.
PDSD is alerting the public to fraudulent emails circulating that appear to come from the department and the permitting system.
PDSD does not request payment or wire transfers by email or phone. If you receive a message asking for payment, please do not respond. All official PDSD permit invoices are sent exclusively from noreply@eplmail.tylerapp.com. Any payment request from a different address was not from the City.
The City is taking this matter seriously and is working with City IT partners to investigate the issue and protect customers. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
If you responded to one of these emails and submitted a payment, contact your bank or financial institution and report the incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov as soon as possible. Acting quickly improves your chances of recovering your funds.
The City encourages the public to reach out and confirm any correspondence that they feel unsure about by calling 311 to be connected with the appropriate department. For questions about permits, contact PDSD at 520-791-5550.
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 The Tucson Association of Realtors describes deed fraud as rising in Southern Arizona, and property owners can take a simple step to protect themselves. The Association, in partnership with Pima County, has launched Protect Your Title, a campaign encouraging residents to enroll in Fraud Notify, the Pima County Recorder's free alert service. Once enrolled, owners receive an email whenever a document is recorded in their name, making it easier to catch forged deeds or unauthorized transfers before they escalate.
Vacant properties, those owned by out-of-town residents, or those checked infrequently face higher risk, since suspicious activity can go unnoticed longer. Enrollment takes just a few minutes. Property owners can learn more and sign up at ProtectYourTitle.Org.
The City of Tucson’s Planning and Development Services Department is continually growing and looking for passionate professionals to join our customer-focused team in shaping Tucson’s future.
Explore all open positions, learn about City of Tucson benefits, and apply to join a team dedicated to making a difference. Visit the City of Tucson job listings page to review current opportunities within Planning and Development Services and across the City.
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