 Through the Community Ordinances & Development Enhancements (CODE Tucson '26) initiative, 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. PDSD has received and refined feedback from community meetings, public surveys, and community members, which informed the proposed amendments.
In addition to the CODE modernization effort, the Living Landscapes initiative is also underway. This effort is advancing amendments designed to strengthen stormwater capture, increase tree canopy and shade, and update how commercial developments capture rainwater. Both CODE Tucson and Living Landscapes were presented to the Planning Commission at an initial Study Session on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
Both items return to the Planning Commission for a second Study Session on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Following the Study Session, the Planning Commission will be asked to set the items for a public hearing before sending its recommendation to the Mayor and Council.
Study Session materials for both items have been posted on the Planning Commission website.
 PDSD, in collaboration with the Drachman Institute at the University of Arizona, is seeking community input on updates to the City's zoning regulations for shelter care. Three feedback opportunities are scheduled between September 13 and October 4, 2026.
On February 3, 2026, the City of Tucson declared a Housing and Homelessness Emergency to remove zoning and permitting barriers and expedite the creation of shelter beds.
Under the City's current Unified Development Code, shelter care uses are permitted in a limited number of locations and are subject to requirements that can make it difficult to add shelter capacity. PDSD is reviewing those regulations to identify changes that would make it easier to establish shelter facilities in appropriate locations while maintaining standards for surrounding neighborhoods.
The initial feedback session took place on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Coalition Space. Community members are encouraged to attend any of the remaining sessions to learn more, ask questions, and share their perspective.
Feedback Session 2
Where: Virtual via Zoom
When: Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
RSVP Required: https://tucsonpdsd.info/ShelterCareZoom
Feedback Session 3
Where: Park Place Mall Central Exhibit Space, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd
When:
- Friday, October 2, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
RSVP Optional: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/wFU8z4z2hH
Community members unable to attend in person are encouraged to join the virtual session. An online survey is also available for anyone unable to attend any of the feedback sessions.
If you have questions, email Amanda Smith at Amanda.Smith@tucsonaz.gov. Visit the Housing and Homelessness Emergency Shelter Care Code Amendment website for more information.
 The City of Tucson Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) has extended the submission deadline for the 2026 Middle Housing Design Competition. Designers now have until Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. to submit their plans.
The competition, run in partnership with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Southern Arizona, invites architects, engineers, designers, builders, contractors, design-build teams, and students to submit middle housing design plans for pre-approval and to make them available to Tucson property owners. Any individual or firm may submit up to four designs. Fifteen selected designs will each receive a $1,000 award funded by AARP, and building review fees will be waived for designs submitted as model plans. Designers retain full ownership of their work.
What is Middle Housing?
Middle housing refers to smaller-scale residential building types that sit between single-family homes and large apartment complexes. Mayor and Council voted 6-1 on December 16, 2025, to allow middle housing on most Tucson residential lots, effective January 1, 2026, giving Tucsonans more housing options across life stages and income levels. Design costs can be a barrier to building, and this competition aims to create a catalog of pre-approved plans that reduces both the cost and complexity of adding housing.
For more information about middle housing and the design competition, visit middlehousing.tucsonaz.gov. You can also contact the team by email at MHDesign@tucsonaz.gov.
This project was made possible for the community due to the generous support of AARP.
 On September 9th, the Mayor and Council voted to direct PDSD to begin a public engagement process for an area plan for the Southlands, a largely undeveloped special planning area covering about 50 square miles. The Southlands sits within Wards 4 and 5 and represents almost 20% of the land within city limits. Policy decisions that guide development there will affect the entire Tucson community.
The planning process will engage the entire community, building awareness of the Southlands and its potential impact on Tucson's future, and shaping policies that align with the community's values and interests.
Phase one will focus on information gathering. This includes economic and environmental analysis of the planning area, along with existing reports, studies, and city and regional plans that overlap with or border the Southlands. A working group of stakeholders from different interest groups, along with members of the public, will review this data and help create materials that clearly show the Southlands and the policies it needs.
Phase two will follow, with the heaviest public feedback expected to begin in early 2027.
 Before submitting your next commercial permit application, you can check it first. PermitReady Tucson is a new digital tool coming soon from the Tucson Industrial Development Authority, developed with help from the City of Tucson. It reviews your draft permit package and flags missing information, inconsistencies, and common issues before you submit through Tucson Development Center Online, the City's online permitting portal.
The tool is launching as a pilot with six commercial permit types:
- Development Package
- Commercial New Building
- Commercial Addition or Alteration
- Commercial Solar
- Commercial Demolition
- Commercial Fence or Wall
How It Works
You select your permit type, upload your draft plans and supporting documents, and receive a readiness report identifying what needs attention. You can then make corrections and submit your completed application through the City's online permitting portal.
PermitReady Tucson is not a substitute for the City of Tucson's review. It does not issue permits, approve applications, or guarantee approval, and it does not replace the work of a licensed architect, engineer, or contractor when one is required.
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.
|
|
