DEFINITIONS - L

Tucson Unified Development Code § 11.4.13

in effect

11.4.13. DEFINITIONS - L Land Use A description of the existing or proposed occupancy or utilization of land that include the principal use Principal Use The primary use to which the premises is devoted and the primary purpose for which the premises exist. and accessory uses Accessory Use or Structure A use or a structure subordinate to the principal use or building on a lot and serving a purpose customarily incidental to the use of the principal building. An accessory use or structure must be established or built together with or after the establishment or construction of the principal use or building. . Landscape Materials Any materials used for the purpose of landscape improvement that may include, but are not limited to, the following: trees, shrubs, cacti, groundcovers, turf Turf An area of grass ground cover grown together in a thick mat. , vines, walkways, berms, stone or inert ground cover materials, sculptures, fountains, irrigation equipment, 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. furniture, outdoor lighting, fences, or walls. Landscape Plan A graphic representation 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. 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. indicating the location of all existing and proposed 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. to be present 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. at the completion of the construction of the project 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. . Landscaping An exterior improvement of 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. in accordance with 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 approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. Land Split 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. split has the same meaning as “land split” as defined in A.R.S. §9-463(3), that is, the division of improved or unimproved land for the purpose of sale or lease, which is not defined as 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. , whose area is two and one-half acres Acre An area equal to 43,560 square feet. or less in size, into two tracts Tract The same as “lot.” or 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. if previously platted, or, three tracts Tract The same as “lot.” or 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. of land or less if not previously platted. Ldn (Day-Night Average Sound Level)] Ldn values are expressed in decibels and represent the average noise level over a 24-hour period for an average day of the year. For Tucson International Airport Airport Any area of land designed and set for the landing and taking off of aircraft. , the Ldn values are calculated based on an FAA integrated noise model, which averages noise over a 365-day year. For Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ldn values are calculated based on the Department of Defense Noise Map model that averages noise over the total flying 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. of the year. Level of EVSE Charging There are three levels of EV charging: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. The higher the level of charging, more power is delivered to the vehicle. Level 1 chargers plug directly into a standard 120 volt AC outlet supplying an average power output of 1.3 kW to 2.4 kW. This power output is equivalent to 3-5 miles of EV range per hour. An overnight charge will add 30-50 miles of range. Level 2 charging requires a dedicated 240 V circuit and output ranges from 3 kW to 19 kW of AC power. This power output translates to 18-28 miles of range per hour. An average EV can be fully charged in 8 hours or less on Level 2 charging. Level 3 charging has a maximum output of 350 kW. Level 3 uses direct current (DC) and can recharge an EV at a rate of 3 to 20 miles of range per minute. Level 3 charging is designed to fill an EV battery to 80% in 20-40 minutes, and 100% in 60-90 minutes. Loading Area An off-street Off-Street To be within property boundaries and not within a right-of-way, such as a street or alley. space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. Local Street A 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. that primarily serves as access to a residence or other abutting Abutting Having a common boundary. Parcels or lots having only a common corner are not considered abutting. property. Logo (7A) A graphic symbol or insignia that serves to identify a business, building or complex. Long-Term Bicycle Bicycle A nonmotorized device propelled only by human power having two or three wheels, any of which is more than 16 inches in diameter. Parking Facility A temporary bicycle Bicycle A nonmotorized device propelled only by human power having two or three wheels, any of which is more than 16 inches in diameter. storage facility that provides a secure place for employees, students, residents, commuters, and others to park their bicycles for several hours or more. Lot A tract Tract The same as “lot.” of land bounded on all sides by property lines Property Line The lot line that defines the legal exterior limits of a lot. , of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning standards, with legal access to a public 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. . Lot Coverage The area of 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. covered by buildings 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. , storage areas, and vehicular use areas 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. . For specific application standards, refer to Section 6.4.3. Lot Lines The property lines Property Line The lot line that defines the legal exterior limits of a lot. bounding 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. . Lot Size The area contained within 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. , including all easements on private property. Low Enrollment A school having registered enrollment at 65% or less than the school’s capacity, not including any portable classroom buildings 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. . For the purposes of this definition, magnet schools are considered low enrollment schools. Low-Income Area An area determined to have 51% or more of its residents in the low to moderate income levels as established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) based on the most recent United States decennial census. A map identifying the low income areas is available in the Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) and Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD). The map is updated administratively by HCDD to reflect poverty and low income data from the most recent United States decennial census. Low Income Housing Housing that is affordable (no more than 30% of a household's total income) for households that make 80% or less of the median income in the local area (Area Median Income, or AMI). (Am. Ord. 11508, 12/5/2017; Am. Ord. 11922, 7/12/2022; Am. Ord. 11953, 8/23/2022; 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/0-0-0-7851Fetched: 10/28/2026