For AI agents: read the machine-readable documentation index at /llms.txt or the single-file full reference at /llms-full.txt.
Form a Business

DESIGN CRITERIA

Tucson Unified Development Code § 7.5.4
in effect
Sign in to generate a plain English summaryAsk Belisarius Agent
7.5.4. DESIGN CRITERIA All loading areas Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. , including any non-required loading areas Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. , must comply with the following requirements. A. Location and Use Requirements The location and use of a loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. are as follows. 1. A loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. must be located on the same 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 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. as the use they serve. 2. A loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. required for a billboard must be located immediately 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 the billboard and outside the area defined by a vertical line intersecting the ground and any structural element extending from the billboard, including, but not limited to, overhangs, cantilevered beams, and elevated walkways. 3. A loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. may be co-located within the approach area for dumpster Dumpster A large container for receiving, collecting. Transporting and dumping waste materials. (See Solid Waste collection standards in the Technical Manual.) containers and the stacking spaces Stacking Space An area designed to accommodate vehicles waiting in line to receive a service. of drive-through Drive-Through or Drive-Thru A land use designed and operated so as to allow persons to receive a service or purchase goods, but not consume the purchased goods on the site, while remaining in a vehicle. aisles when safety and access issues are appropriately addressed and delivery and solid waste collection schedules are coordinated so as not to conflict with one another. B. Access Requirements The access requirements to a loading space are as follows. 1. 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. may be used for access and maneuvering into and out of a loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. provided: a. 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. is used for access to only one loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. on that 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. . b. 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. is not shown on the Major Streets and Routes (MS&R) Plan Major Streets and Routes (MS&R) Plan The plan adopted by the Mayor and Council to implement the circulation element of the General Plan that identifies the general location and size of existing and proposed freeways, arterial and collector streets, future right-of-way lines, typical intersections, and Gateway and Scenic Routes. . c. 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. is not a local residential 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. . d. 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. does not abut a residential 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. within 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. . 2. 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. may be used for access and maneuvering into and out of a loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. provided: a. The 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. is used for access to only one loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. on that 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. . b. The 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. is a minimum 20 feet wide. c. The 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. is surfaced in a manner acceptable to the City Engineer. d. The 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. does not abut a residential 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. within 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. . 3. The maneuvering area must be designed so that there is safe access into and out of a loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. . The size and configuration of the maneuvering area must be based on AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) standards for turning radii and distances required of the vehicles for which the loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. is designed. 4. The access route to a loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. must have an overhead clearance of 15 feet. C. Screening and Landscaping Landscaping An exterior improvement of a site in accordance with an approved landscape plan and approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. Requirements The screening and landscaping Landscaping An exterior improvement of a site in accordance with an approved landscape plan and approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. of a loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. must be in accordance with Section 7.6, Landscaping Landscaping An exterior improvement of a site in accordance with an approved landscape plan and approved landscape methods, materials, and maintenance. and Screening Regulations. D. Lighting Requirements The lighting of a loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. , if present, must be in conformance Conformance To be in agreement with; to comply with. with adopted City of Tucson Outdoor Lighting regulations. E. Surfacing Requirements The surfacing of a loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. must be in accordance with Section 7.4.6.I, Surfacing Requirements. F. Striping Requirements A loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. must be striped in accordance with Section 7.4.6.G, Striping, Surfacing Requirements, to distinguish it from motor vehicle parking spaces Motor Vehicle Parking Space An area permanently reserved and maintained for the parking of one motor vehicle. and other uses 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. . G. Dimensional Requirements The minimum size of a loading area Loading Area An off-street space or berth for temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, cargo, or materials. , exclusive of access and maneuvering area, must be: 1. Type A: 12 feet by 35 feet; 2. Type B: 12 feet by 55 feet; and, 3. Overhead Clearance is 15 feet.
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/0-0-0-5824Fetched: 10/28/2026

Starting a business in Arizona? Arizona LLC guide: costs and requirements