APPLICABILITY

Tucson Unified Development Code § 7.7.3

in effect

7.7.3. APPLICABILITY The provisions of this section apply to all 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. as listed below. A. New 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. All new 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. proposed in the City of Tucson shall comply with the standards of this section. B. Expansions of Existing 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. 1. If the expansion is less than 25%, the standards of this section apply only to the proposed expansion area. 2. If the expansion is 25% or greater or if expansions after March 24, 1997, cumulatively result in a 25% or greater expansion in land area, floor area Floor Area Same as Gross Floor Area. Gross Floor Area The sum of the horizontal areas of all floors of all buildings, including accessory buildings on a lot, measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls or from the centerline of walls separating two buildings and includes elevator shafts and the stairwells at each story. Gross floor area includes floor space with structural headroom of six feet and six inches or more used for mechanical equipment; penthouses; attic space; interior balconies; mezzanines; and service bays but does not include any interior space used for parking, loading, or loading space that is incidental to the principal use. , lot coverage Lot Coverage The area of a lot covered by buildings, storage areas, and vehicular use areas. For specific application standards, refer to Section 6.4.3. , or vehicular use area Vehicular Use Area Any area of a site or structure used for the movement, parking, or standing of motor vehicles. The vehicular use area includes access drives, maneuvering areas, refuse collection locations, loading spaces, and any landscaping and screening within ten feet of these areas. , the standards of this section apply to the proposed expansion area and the remaining undeveloped site area Site Area The land area of a site. . C. Concurrent Applicability of Other Related Sections The standards of this section; the Hillside Development Zone Zone A specifically designated area within which uniform regulations govern the use, placement, spacing, and size of land and buildings. Examples include R-1 residential zone and overlay zones such as the Historic Preservation Zone. It is also referred to as a zoning district. (HDZ) (Section 5.2); the Environmental Resource Zone Zone A specifically designated area within which uniform regulations govern the use, placement, spacing, and size of land and buildings. Examples include R-1 residential zone and overlay zones such as the Historic Preservation Zone. It is also referred to as a zoning district. (ERZ) (Section 5.7); the Watercourse Amenities, Safety, and Habitat (WASH) ordinance (Section 29 of the Tucson Code); the Scenic Corridor Zone Zone A specifically designated area within which uniform regulations govern the use, placement, spacing, and size of land and buildings. Examples include R-1 residential zone and overlay zones such as the Historic Preservation Zone. It is also referred to as a zoning district. (SCZ) (Section 5.3); and the Landscape and Screening Standards (Section 7.6) are all calculated separately. Plants or areas preserved or planted for the purposes of compliance with one standard may be considered for the purposes of compliance with this section. D. Exceptions The provisions of this section do not apply to the following: 1. Single-family Family Any number of individuals customarily living together as a single household and using common cooking facilities. residential 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 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. recorded before March 24, 1997, or single-family Family Any number of individuals customarily living together as a single household and using common cooking facilities. residential 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 a 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. within a subdivision Subdivision Any division of land, improved or unimproved, for the purpose of financing, sales, or lease, whether immediate or future, in one of four ways: A. Any property whose boundaries are fixed by a recorded plat, which is divided into three or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land; B. Any property whose boundaries are not fixed by a recorded plat which is divided into four or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land; C. Any property that requires the development of a new street, which is divided into two or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land; or, D. Any condominium, cooperative, community apartment, townhouse, or similar project containing four or more parcels, in which an undivided interest in the land is coupled with the right of exclusive occupancy of any unit located thereon. that is subject to an approved Native Plant Preservation Plan Native Plant Preservation Plan A graphic representation of a project site that includes, but is not limited to, an aerial photograph, at a minimum scale of one inch equals 100 feet, indicating the project site boundaries and individual native plants or native plant preservation areas to be assessed and utilized to satisfy preservation standards. Based on the Native Plant Preservation methodology selected by the applicant, additional Plan elements will be required. after the sale and 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. of a principal structure Structure A physical element constructed or erected with a fixed location on the ground or attached to another physical element having a fixed location at, below, or above grade. Structures include such elements as, but are not limited to, buildings, paved areas, walls, fences, posts, and patios. on that 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. ; 2. Single-family Family Any number of individuals customarily living together as a single household and using common cooking facilities. residential subdivisions Subdivision Any division of land, improved or unimproved, for the purpose of financing, sales, or lease, whether immediate or future, in one of four ways: A. Any property whose boundaries are fixed by a recorded plat, which is divided into three or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land; B. Any property whose boundaries are not fixed by a recorded plat which is divided into four or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land; C. Any property that requires the development of a new street, which is divided into two or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land; or, D. Any condominium, cooperative, community apartment, townhouse, or similar project containing four or more parcels, in which an undivided interest in the land is coupled with the right of exclusive occupancy of any unit located thereon. for which a tentative plat Plat A map of a subdivision. The term “plat” includes: A. Block Plat A map of a subdivision that consists of ten or fewer lots the size of which are in conformance with the applicable zoning requirements for lot size. B. Tentative Plat A graphic representation of a proposed subdivision, including supporting data, designed and prepared in accordance with the subdivision provisions of this Article, any other local applicable regulation, and state statute. A tentative plat is the same as a preliminary plat as defined in state statute. C. Final Plat A survey document suitable for recordation of all or part of a subdivision substantially conforming to an approved tentative plat, if a tentative plat is required, prepared in accordance with the subdivision provisions of this Article, any other local applicable regulation, and state statute. D. Recorded Plat A fully executed final plat, bearing all required signatures and certificates of approval, that has been recorded in the Pima County Recorder’s Office. has been submitted or approved prior to July 1, 1997, per Article 8, Subdivision Subdivision Any division of land, improved or unimproved, for the purpose of financing, sales, or lease, whether immediate or future, in one of four ways: A. Any property whose boundaries are fixed by a recorded plat, which is divided into three or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land; B. Any property whose boundaries are not fixed by a recorded plat which is divided into four or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land; C. Any property that requires the development of a new street, which is divided into two or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land; or, D. Any condominium, cooperative, community apartment, townhouse, or similar project containing four or more parcels, in which an undivided interest in the land is coupled with the right of exclusive occupancy of any unit located thereon. Standards, provided the plat Plat A map of a subdivision. The term “plat” includes: A. Block Plat A map of a subdivision that consists of ten or fewer lots the size of which are in conformance with the applicable zoning requirements for lot size. B. Tentative Plat A graphic representation of a proposed subdivision, including supporting data, designed and prepared in accordance with the subdivision provisions of this Article, any other local applicable regulation, and state statute. A tentative plat is the same as a preliminary plat as defined in state statute. C. Final Plat A survey document suitable for recordation of all or part of a subdivision substantially conforming to an approved tentative plat, if a tentative plat is required, prepared in accordance with the subdivision provisions of this Article, any other local applicable regulation, and state statute. D. Recorded Plat A fully executed final plat, bearing all required signatures and certificates of approval, that has been recorded in the Pima County Recorder’s Office. is recorded within one year from the approval date of the final plat Plat A map of a subdivision. The term “plat” includes: A. Block Plat A map of a subdivision that consists of ten or fewer lots the size of which are in conformance with the applicable zoning requirements for lot size. B. Tentative Plat A graphic representation of a proposed subdivision, including supporting data, designed and prepared in accordance with the subdivision provisions of this Article, any other local applicable regulation, and state statute. A tentative plat is the same as a preliminary plat as defined in state statute. C. Final Plat A survey document suitable for recordation of all or part of a subdivision substantially conforming to an approved tentative plat, if a tentative plat is required, prepared in accordance with the subdivision provisions of this Article, any other local applicable regulation, and state statute. D. Recorded Plat A fully executed final plat, bearing all required signatures and certificates of approval, that has been recorded in the Pima County Recorder’s Office. , infrastructure Infrastructure All structures or improvements to the land, such as roads or facilities for the provision of gas, electric, water, drainage, or communications, that are necessary to support development on or abutting property. is in place, and 50% of the 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. are developed within five years after July 1, 1997; 3. Projects Project A development, consisting of one or more contiguous lots, planned and constructed to function as a single entity, utilizing common or shared facilities, structures, parking, and vehicular and pedestrian access. on a 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. that does not contain any plant on the Protected Native Plant Protected Native Plants Plant genus and species of a minimum size with special status per the Protected Native Plant List in Section 5-02.0.0 of the Technical Standards Manual. List as demonstrated by the applicant and subject to approval through procedures established at the Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD). This application can be submitted prior to an applicable review process and approved for an exception 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. . The approved exception is valid for up to one year from the date of the approval; or, 4. Projects Project A development, consisting of one or more contiguous lots, planned and constructed to function as a single entity, utilizing common or shared facilities, structures, parking, and vehicular and pedestrian access. on a 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 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. that contains Protected Native Plants Protected Native Plants Plant genus and species of a minimum size with special status per the Protected Native Plant List in Section 5-02.0.0 of the Technical Standards Manual. that will not be substantially impacted by 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 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. as demonstrated by the applicant per this section and subject to approval through procedures established at the PDSD, provided that construction occurs per the approved plan.

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/0-0-0-6187Fetched: 10/28/2026