Tucson Unified Development Code § 7.6.9

in effect

7.6.9. All required landscaping Landscaping An exterior improvement of a site in accordance with an approved landscape plan and approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. , irrigation systems, walls, screening devices, curbing, and detention basin landscape improvements Improvements Any on-site or off-site improvements, such as, but not limited to, refuse container enclosures, streets, sidewalks, sewer, water, and electric utility installations, drainage and flood control facilities, monuments or other similar facilities or developments for which the City of Tucson may ultimately assume responsibility for maintenance and operation, or landscaping, screening, or other site improvements required by the Tucson Unified Development Code (UDC) or other appropriate City code. on the site Site The land area consisting of a portion of a lot, an entire lot, or contiguous lots, not including dedicated public property, designated for development as a single entity. or within the abutting Abutting Having a common boundary. Parcels or lots having only a common corner are not considered abutting. right-of-way Right-of-Way An area reserved for a public or private use, such as, but not limited to, street or alley rights-of-way and utility easements. shall be maintained as shown on the approved plans. The property owner is responsible for proper maintenance to achieve permanent, safe, and successful landscaping Landscaping An exterior improvement of a site in accordance with an approved landscape plan and approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. as required by this section. Failure to maintain the improvements Improvements Any on-site or off-site improvements, such as, but not limited to, refuse container enclosures, streets, sidewalks, sewer, water, and electric utility installations, drainage and flood control facilities, monuments or other similar facilities or developments for which the City of Tucson may ultimately assume responsibility for maintenance and operation, or landscaping, screening, or other site improvements required by the Tucson Unified Development Code (UDC) or other appropriate City code. or landscaping Landscaping An exterior improvement of a site in accordance with an approved landscape plan and approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. required by this section constitutes a violation Violation Any improvements that are constructed or any use established on a property without zoning compliance or any improvements under construction that are not in compliance with plans approved for zoning or other City code compliance are considered a violation of this chapter. The Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) shall enforce compliance with this chapter by suspending construction or through other available means until compliance is achieved. of the UDC Unified Development Code (UDC) Chapter 23B of the Tucson Code as adopted by the Mayor and Council establishing zoning regulations governing the use, placement, spacing, and size of land and structures within the corporate limits of the City. Such regulations are applied on individual properties through the use of zoning districts. The boundaries of these districts are depicted on the adopted City Zoning Maps. For the purposes of convenience and ease of use, the UDC is also published as a separate book from the Tucson Code. . A. Plant Materials 1. Any plant material in areas of required landscaping Landscaping An exterior improvement of a site in accordance with an approved landscape plan and approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. that does not survive must be replaced with an equivalent size and species within 30 days Days Days of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. To apply days to a review schedule, the day of the event or act from which the designated period of time begins shall not be included. The last day of the designated period shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, in which event the period runs to the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. When a designated period of time is less than ten days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays shall not be included. Holidays are those recognized by the City of Tucson. . 2. Plant material must be pruned as necessary to control size but not to disrupt the natural growth pattern or characteristic form of the plant except as necessary to achieve height clearance for visibility and pedestrian passage or to achieve a continuous opaque Opaque Opaque means that the material shall not transmit visible light. hedge if required. 3. Clipping and pruning of the plant material are required to allow maximum shading while preserving surveillance opportunities and preventing obstructive overhang into walks, curb areas, drives, and line of sight triangles as required by the Unified Development Code Unified Development Code (UDC) Chapter 23B of the Tucson Code as adopted by the Mayor and Council establishing zoning regulations governing the use, placement, spacing, and size of land and structures within the corporate limits of the City. Such regulations are applied on individual properties through the use of zoning districts. The boundaries of these districts are depicted on the adopted City Zoning Maps. For the purposes of convenience and ease of use, the UDC is also published as a separate book from the Tucson Code. . 4. All dead or removed plant material must be replaced with plant material acceptable under the standards of the xeriscape Xeriscape A landscaping program designed to save water using the seven principles listed below: • Water conserving design; • Low water use/drought-tolerant plants; • Reduction in turf; • Water harvesting techniques; • Appropriate irrigation methods; • Soil improvements and use of mulches; and, • Proper maintenance practices. landscaping Landscaping An exterior improvement of a site in accordance with an approved landscape plan and approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. standards. Replacement material must be a minimum 15-gallon size for trees and five gallon size for shrubs. 5. Regular landscape maintenance shall ensure water efficiency and include, but not be limited to, pruning, mulching, weeding, litter removal, aerating and dethatching turf Turf An area of grass ground cover grown together in a thick mat. areas, and fertilizing nonnative plant materials, as necessary. B. Inert Materials 1. Exterior improvements Improvements Any on-site or off-site improvements, such as, but not limited to, refuse container enclosures, streets, sidewalks, sewer, water, and electric utility installations, drainage and flood control facilities, monuments or other similar facilities or developments for which the City of Tucson may ultimately assume responsibility for maintenance and operation, or landscaping, screening, or other site improvements required by the Tucson Unified Development Code (UDC) or other appropriate City code. , such as benches, walls, or ramadas, must be of durable materials appropriate to the desert climate. Material with integral coloring or stucco is preferred for seating fixtures and other permanent improvements Improvements Any on-site or off-site improvements, such as, but not limited to, refuse container enclosures, streets, sidewalks, sewer, water, and electric utility installations, drainage and flood control facilities, monuments or other similar facilities or developments for which the City of Tucson may ultimately assume responsibility for maintenance and operation, or landscaping, screening, or other site improvements required by the Tucson Unified Development Code (UDC) or other appropriate City code. . 2. Inert materials used in the landscaping Landscaping An exterior improvement of a site in accordance with an approved landscape plan and approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. areas must be of a nature to withstand the extremes of the desert climate and minimize heat gain or reflected heat. 3. The inert materials must be replaced as needed due to displacement or erosion Erosion The wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of air, water, ice, or other disturbances. . C. Planting Areas 1. Inert materials must be used in inaccessible, narrow, or hard to maintain sections of the planting areas. 2. Landscaped areas must be kept free of trash, weeds, debris, and dead plant material and must be maintained in a clean and neat fashion. 3. Use of river rock is discouraged adjacent Adjacent Two or more parcels Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. or lots Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. sharing a common boundary or separated by an alley Alley Alleys are public ways used for the placement of utilities, refuse collection, or similar public services, and under certain circumstances as provided in the UDC, access to individual properties. or other right-of-way Right-of-Way An area reserved for a public or private use, such as, but not limited to, street or alley rights-of-way and utility easements. 20 feet or less in width. Parcels Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. or lots Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. having only a common corner are considered adjacent. Within the Infill Incentive District District A zone that has zoning options to encourage transit-oriented development or has specific urban design standards within the City. Examples include the Rio Nuevo District, the Downtown Area Infill Incentive District. A “district” is also referred to as a zoning district. , Optional Zoning Sub-Districts, Areas and Sub-Areas, the term "adjacent" or "adjacency" means: A. Two or more parcels Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. or lots Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. sharing a common boundary or separated by an ally Alley Alleys are public ways used for the placement of utilities, refuse collection, or similar public services, and under certain circumstances as provided in the UDC, access to individual properties. or a local Local Street A street that primarily serves as access to a residence or other abutting property. or arterial street Arterial Street A street identified as an arterial or Interstate Route on the Major Streets and Routes (MS&R) Plan. 30 feet or less in width. Parcels Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. or lots Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. having only a common corner are also considered adjacent. B. Where the development Development Any human alteration to the state of land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, or hydrology, for any residential, commercial, industrial, utility, or other use, such as, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, or grading of land, and structural improvements, e.g., buildings, walls, fences, signs, and vehicular use areas. parcel is an interior parcel Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. , adjacent lots Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. includes all residential lots Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. or development Development Any human alteration to the state of land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, or hydrology, for any residential, commercial, industrial, utility, or other use, such as, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, or grading of land, and structural improvements, e.g., buildings, walls, fences, signs, and vehicular use areas. on either side of the development Development Any human alteration to the state of land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, or hydrology, for any residential, commercial, industrial, utility, or other use, such as, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, or grading of land, and structural improvements, e.g., buildings, walls, fences, signs, and vehicular use areas. parcel Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. , those lots Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. fronting on the same street Street Any permanent public or private right-of-way, other than an alley, access lane, or parking area access lane, set aside to accommodate vehicular travel lanes, parking lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian facilities, utility areas, and other such design features, whether designated as a street, drive, highway, thoroughfare, road, boulevard, avenue, lane, or place. in the same block Block A unit of land bounded by streets or by a combination of streets and public lands, railroad rights-of-way, watercourses, or other barriers to the continuity of the unit of land. A block may be comprised of one or more lots. A block made up of one lot may also be referred to as a lot or parcel. as the development Development Any human alteration to the state of land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, or hydrology, for any residential, commercial, industrial, utility, or other use, such as, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, or grading of land, and structural improvements, e.g., buildings, walls, fences, signs, and vehicular use areas. parcel Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. , and all those lots Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. on the opposite side of that street Street Any permanent public or private right-of-way, other than an alley, access lane, or parking area access lane, set aside to accommodate vehicular travel lanes, parking lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian facilities, utility areas, and other such design features, whether designated as a street, drive, highway, thoroughfare, road, boulevard, avenue, lane, or place. (See Figure, "Interior Lot Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. "); C. Where the development Development Any human alteration to the state of land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, or hydrology, for any residential, commercial, industrial, utility, or other use, such as, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, or grading of land, and structural improvements, e.g., buildings, walls, fences, signs, and vehicular use areas. parcel Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. is a corner lot Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. , the term "adjacent" includes all the residential corner lots Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. or developments Development Any human alteration to the state of land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, or hydrology, for any residential, commercial, industrial, utility, or other use, such as, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, or grading of land, and structural improvements, e.g., buildings, walls, fences, signs, and vehicular use areas. diagonally opposite the development Development Any human alteration to the state of land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, or hydrology, for any residential, commercial, industrial, utility, or other use, such as, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, or grading of land, and structural improvements, e.g., buildings, walls, fences, signs, and vehicular use areas. parcel Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. , fronting on the same two streets Street Any permanent public or private right-of-way, other than an alley, access lane, or parking area access lane, set aside to accommodate vehicular travel lanes, parking lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian facilities, utility areas, and other such design features, whether designated as a street, drive, highway, thoroughfare, road, boulevard, avenue, lane, or place. in the same block Block A unit of land bounded by streets or by a combination of streets and public lands, railroad rights-of-way, watercourses, or other barriers to the continuity of the unit of land. A block may be comprised of one or more lots. A block made up of one lot may also be referred to as a lot or parcel. , and on the opposite sides of those streets Street Any permanent public or private right-of-way, other than an alley, access lane, or parking area access lane, set aside to accommodate vehicular travel lanes, parking lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian facilities, utility areas, and other such design features, whether designated as a street, drive, highway, thoroughfare, road, boulevard, avenue, lane, or place. as shown in the diagram below (See Figure, "Corner Lot Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. "); D. Where the development Development Any human alteration to the state of land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, or hydrology, for any residential, commercial, industrial, utility, or other use, such as, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, or grading of land, and structural improvements, e.g., buildings, walls, fences, signs, and vehicular use areas. parcel Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. is adjacent to an HPZ, the term "adjacent" includes all lots Lot A tract of land bounded on all sides by property lines, of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public street. across the street Street Any permanent public or private right-of-way, other than an alley, access lane, or parking area access lane, set aside to accommodate vehicular travel lanes, parking lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian facilities, utility areas, and other such design features, whether designated as a street, drive, highway, thoroughfare, road, boulevard, avenue, lane, or place. and diagonally across from the development Development Any human alteration to the state of land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, or hydrology, for any residential, commercial, industrial, utility, or other use, such as, but not limited to, clearing, grubbing, or grading of land, and structural improvements, e.g., buildings, walls, fences, signs, and vehicular use areas. parcel Parcel The same as “lot.” The term “parcel” is generally listed to describe a piece of property recorded as a division of land by a metes and bounds description and may or may not be a part of a subdivision plat. In a project where a division of land is proposed, each proposed division is considered a lot for the purpose of applying the requirements of the zoning ordinance. . to building Building A structure having a roof supported by columns, posts, or walls and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of any person, entity, animal, process, equipment, goods, or materials of any kind or nature. windows. D. Landscape Removal 1. Substantial modifications, as determined by the PDSD Director Director The chief executive officer of a City department. , and/or removal of plant materials or other landscape elements shall require review and approval of a revised landscape plan Landscape Plan A graphic representation of the development site indicating the location of all existing and proposed landscape improvements to be present on the site at the completion of the construction of the project. by PDSD. 2. The removal or destruction of landscape material Landscape Materials Any materials used for the purpose of landscape improvement that may include, but are not limited to, the following: trees, shrubs, cacti, vegetative ground covers, turf, vines, walkways, berms, stone or inert ground cover materials, sculptures, fountains, irrigation equipment, street furniture, outdoor lighting, fences, or walls. that has been installed according to an approved landscape plan Landscape Plan A graphic representation of the development site indicating the location of all existing and proposed landscape improvements to be present on the site at the completion of the construction of the project. and not replaced constitutes a violation Violation Any improvements that are constructed or any use established on a property without zoning compliance or any improvements under construction that are not in compliance with plans approved for zoning or other City code compliance are considered a violation of this chapter. The Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) shall enforce compliance with this chapter by suspending construction or through other available means until compliance is achieved. of the UDC Unified Development Code (UDC) Chapter 23B of the Tucson Code as adopted by the Mayor and Council establishing zoning regulations governing the use, placement, spacing, and size of land and structures within the corporate limits of the City. Such regulations are applied on individual properties through the use of zoning districts. The boundaries of these districts are depicted on the adopted City Zoning Maps. For the purposes of convenience and ease of use, the UDC is also published as a separate book from the Tucson Code. . 3. Minor modifications of the landscaping Landscaping An exterior improvement of a site in accordance with an approved landscape plan and approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. occurring as a result of routine maintenance, necessary replacement of elements because of damage or disease, or other causes is not subject to review by PDSD. E. Screening and Wall Maintenance 1. Paint and stucco must be renewed on the surfaces of fences and walls as needed. 2. Wooden slats in chain link fences must be replaced as needed to retain the opacity of the screen Screen An opaque barrier designed and constructed to conceal areas used for storage, refuse, mechanical equipment, parking, or delivery service loading bays from street and public view or to buffer adjacent land uses. . 3. Any screening device that has deteriorated to the point where it does not serve as a screen Screen An opaque barrier designed and constructed to conceal areas used for storage, refuse, mechanical equipment, parking, or delivery service loading bays from street and public view or to buffer adjacent land uses. must be replaced by the property owner. Vegetation used to meet the screening standards may not be replaced with new vegetation after two years past the installation. Replacement must be with another option for screening, such as a fence or a wall, in order to achieve an immediate screen Screen An opaque barrier designed and constructed to conceal areas used for storage, refuse, mechanical equipment, parking, or delivery service loading bays from street and public view or to buffer adjacent land uses. . This standard does not apply to the occasional replacement of single plants within a vegetative screen Screen An opaque barrier designed and constructed to conceal areas used for storage, refuse, mechanical equipment, parking, or delivery service loading bays from street and public view or to buffer adjacent land uses. . F. Irrigation System Maintenance Irrigation systems must be maintained and replaced as necessary to continue to conserve water. Detection and repair of leaky or broken pipes, valves, and fittings and malfunctioning and/or misaligned heads, emitters, and bubblers must be part of a regular maintenance program for the site Site The land area consisting of a portion of a lot, an entire lot, or contiguous lots, not including dedicated public property, designated for development as a single entity. . 1. Automatic Irrigation Controllers are recommended to be reset a minimum of four times a year (spring, summer, fall, and winter) to adjust for plant water requirements that vary according to the season. 2. Whenever possible, repair of irrigation equipment must be done with the originally specified materials or their equivalent. (Am. Ord. 12219, 12/16/2025)

Source: City of Tucson, Tucson Code (Charter and General Ordinances) and Unified Development Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tucson/latest/tucson_az_udc/0-0-0-29078Fetched: 10/28/2026