Politics
Tucson Property Tax Levy Renewal Referendum and Projected Effects on Household Budgets
City budget documents show the measure would preserve current revenue streams for municipal operations, resulting in no change to the primary tax rate paid by most Tucson property owners.
How we reported this
Tucson voters face a November ballot measure that would renew an existing property tax levy for city operations through 2031. The proposal maintains the current rate of $2.15 per $100 of assessed value on primary residential property, according to the measure language filed with the Pima County Elections Department.
National inflation trends in housing and utilities have increased pressure on local household spending in recent quarters. The levy accounts for roughly 18 percent of the City of Tucson general fund revenue in the fiscal year 2027 adopted budget, which totals $612 million across all sources.
Direct costs for Tucson homeowners
A home assessed at the median Tucson value of $278,000 would continue to pay an estimated $598 annually under the renewed levy. This amount appears as a separate line on property tax statements issued each October by the Pima County Treasurer. Renters would see no direct line-item change, though local property managers have stated in public meetings that tax stability can influence future lease adjustments.
The measure also funds allocations such as $12.4 million for street maintenance and $8.7 million for park operations listed in the current capital improvement plan. Residents who itemize deductions on federal returns can continue to deduct the full amount under existing IRS rules for state and local taxes.
Timeline and next steps
Ballots will be mailed to registered voters beginning October 12. The Pima County Recorder reports 312,000 active registered voters in Tucson city limits as of the June 2026 canvass. If approved by a simple majority, the levy extension takes effect January 1 2027 and runs for five years without automatic rate increases.
City finance staff will publish an annual report each March detailing actual collections and expenditures from the levy, as required under the measure text. Voters can review those reports on the City of Tucson website or request printed copies from the clerk's office at 255 West Alameda Street.