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Tucson Raises Height Limits, Adds New Design Requirements
Zoning amendments passed this week raise height limits in targeted zones while adding new requirements for setbacks, materials and street frontages.
How we reported this
The Tucson City Council voted 6-1 on July 7 to update the land use code, permitting buildings up to five stories in select mixed-use districts and requiring design board approval for facade treatments and open space ratios on projects larger than 10 units.
The move follows a 14-month period in which the city issued building permits for fewer than 900 new multifamily units while median asking rents climbed past $1,650 for a two-bedroom apartment, according to data tracked by the Pima County Association of Realtors.
Changes Hit University District and Broadway Corridor
Along Campbell Avenue between 6th Street and 22nd Street, the new rules allow density bonuses of 25 percent if developers include ground-floor commercial space and use at least 60 percent masonry or stucco on primary elevations. The same standards apply in the Sam Hughes neighborhood, where the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation has already flagged three pending applications for review under the revised guidelines. Further east on Broadway Boulevard, the city’s existing Infill Incentive District will now tie its fee waivers to the stricter design criteria rather than density alone.
Staff reports prepared for the July 7 meeting projected that the code changes could clear the way for an additional 850 units over the next three years if current permit trends hold. Average construction costs cited in those documents run $285 per square foot for mid-rise wood-frame buildings, a figure that has risen 9 percent since the start of 2025.
Practical Steps for Property Owners
City Planning and Development Services will begin accepting applications under the amended code on August 1. Owners of lots zoned R-3 or C-2 should request a pre-submittal conference at least 30 days before filing to confirm which design elements will trigger extra review. The department’s updated checklist and sample elevations are posted on the city website and available in hard copy at the 201 North Stone Avenue counter.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.