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Pima County Overview
Pima County, AZ Code of Ordinances
PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA CODE
Publisher's Introduction
Title 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Title 2 ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
Title 3 REVENUE AND FINANCE
Title 4 INDIGENT HEALTH CARE
Title 5 BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
Title 6 ANIMALS
Title 7 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Title 8 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Title 9 PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
Title 10 TRAFFIC AND HIGHWAYS
Title 11 PIMA COUNTY PROCUREMENT CODE
Title 12 (RESERVED)
Title 13 PUBLIC SERVICES
Title 14 RENEWABLE ENERGY INCENTIVE DISTRICT (REID)
Title 15 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Title 16 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
Title 17 AIR QUALITY CONTROL
Title 18 ZONING
Chapter 18.01 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 18.03 GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Chapter 18.05 ZONES, MAPS AND BOUNDARIES
Chapter 18.07 GENERAL REGULATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
Chapter 18.09 GENERAL RESIDENTIAL AND RURAL ZONING PROVISIONS
Chapter 18.11 TH TRAILER HOMESITE ZONE
Chapter 18.12 IR INSTITUTIONAL RESERVE ZONE
Chapter 18.13 RH RURAL HOMESTEAD ZONE [1]
Chapter 18.14 GR-1 RURAL RESIDENTIAL ZONE
Chapter 18.15 ML MOUNT LEMMON ZONE
Chapter 18.17 SR SUBURBAN RANCH ZONE*
Chapter 18.18 SR-2 SUBURBAN RANCH ESTATE ZONE
Chapter 18.19 SH SUBURBAN HOMESTEAD ZONE
Chapter 18.21 CR-1 SINGLE RESIDENCE ZONE
Chapter 18.23 CR-2 SINGLE RESIDENCE ZONE
Chapter 18.25 CR-3 SINGLE RESIDENCE ZONE
Chapter 18.27 CR-4 MIXED-DWELLING TYPE ZONE
Chapter 18.29 CR-5 MULTIPLE RESIDENCE ZONE
Chapter 18.31 TR TRANSITIONAL ZONE
Chapter 18.33 CMH-1 COUNTY MANUFACTURED AND MOBILE HOME - 1 ZONE
Chapter 18.35 CMH-2 COUNTY MANUFACTURED AND MOBILE HOME - 2 ZONE
Chapter 18.37 MU MULTIPLE USE ZONE
Chapter 18.39 GENERAL COMMERCIAL STANDARDS
Chapter 18.40 MR MAJOR RESORT ZONE
Chapter 18.41 RVC RURAL VILLAGE CENTER ZONE
Chapter 18.43 CB-1 LOCAL BUSINESS ZONE
Chapter 18.45 CB-2 GENERAL BUSINESS ZONE
Chapter 18.47 INDUSTRIAL ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS
Chapter 18.49 CPI CAMPUS PARK INDUSTRIAL ZONE
Chapter 18.51 CI-1 LIGHT INDUSTRIAL/WAREHOUSING ZONE
Chapter 18.53 CI-2 GENERAL INDUSTRIAL ZONE
Chapter 18.55 CI-3 HEAVY INDUSTRIAL ZONE*
Chapter 18.57 AIRPORT ENVIRONS AND FACILITIES*
Chapter 18.58 HELIPORTS AND HELISTOPS
Chapter 18.59 GC GOLF COURSE ZONE
Chapter 18.61 HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONE*
Chapter 18.63 HISTORIC ZONE
Chapter 18.65 (RESERVED)
Chapter 18.67 BUFFER OVERLAY ZONE
Chapter 18.68 INFILL OVERLAY ZONE
Chapter 18.69 SUBDIVISION STANDARDS
Chapter 18.70 MINOR LANDS DIVISION
Chapter 18.71 DEVELOPMENT PLAN STANDARDS*
Chapter 18.72 NATIVE PLANT PRESERVATION
Chapter 18.73 LANDSCAPING, BUFFERING AND SCREENING STANDARDS*
Chapter 18.75 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS
Chapter 18.77 ROADWAY FRONTAGE STANDARDS
Chapter 18.78 GATEWAY OVERLAY ZONE
Chapter 18.79 SIGN STANDARDS*
Chapter 18.81 GRADING STANDARDS
Chapter 18.83 ADDRESS STANDARDS
Chapter 18.85 (RESERVED)
Chapter 18.87 (RESERVED)
Chapter 18.89 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN [2]
Chapter 18.90 SPECIFIC PLANS
Chapter 18.91 REZONING PROCEDURES
Chapter 18.92 TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
Chapter 18.93 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT VARIANCES, TEMPORARY USE PERMITS AND INTERPRETATIONS*
Chapter 18.95 COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT*
Chapter 18.97 CONDITIONAL USE PROCEDURES
Chapter 18.99 REVIEW COMMITTEES
Chapter 18.101 ADMINISTRATORS
Title 19 ROADWAY DEVELOPMENT FEE
Title 20 THE SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
Title 21 PUBLIC LANDS AND FACILITIES
STATUTORY REFERENCES FOR ARIZONA COUNTIES
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
ORDINANCE LIST AND DISPOSITION TABLE
Chapter 18.78
GATEWAY OVERLAY ZONE
18.78.010   Purpose.
18.78.020   Applicability.
18.78.030   Development Standards.
18.78.040   Site Planning Review.
18.78.050   Rezonings and Comprehensive Plan Amendments.
18.78.060   Designated Gateway Overlay Zones.
18.78.010   Purpose.
   A.   Protect and enhance the scenic quality of entry points into metropolitan Tucson and nearby public preserves;
   B.   Reduce the visual impact of development on scenic vistas and entry points by providing design guidelines and by requiring more intensive restoration of graded areas;
   C.   Provide an appropriate visual transition between natural preserves and more highly urbanized areas through the implementation of screening or siting of developmental elements;
   D.   Protect and enhance the southwest character of Pima County;
   E.   Encourage well designed buildings and sites;
   F.   Communicate to land use development applicants the goals of the Gateway Overlay Zone and the role the Design Review Committee takes in implementing the gateway standards and guidelines;
   G.   Provide for safe interaction between motorized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians;
   H.   Encourage pedestrian scale developments that take advantage of the visual values of on-site architectural and landscape aesthetics and off-site scenic qualities; and
   I.   Maintain and encourage economic growth and health.
(Ord. 2006-30 § 2 (part), 2006; Ord. 2001-162 § 2 (part), 2001)
18.78.020   Applicability.
   A.   This chapter applies to the following unless otherwise stated in 18.78.030:
      1.   New residential development requiring a development plan, new non-residential development, or substantial expansion of an existing development subject to Chapter 18.71, on any land within a GZ-1 (Urban Gateway Overlay Zone) and GZ-2 (Public Preserve Gateway Overlay Zone). Substantial expansion occurs whenever a new development plan is required. When a new substantial expansion occurs and a new development plan is required, the standards of this chapter will apply except that:
         a.   The bufferyard requirements contained in this chapter shall be complied with whenever space on the property allows, and exempted only when it is demonstrated to the design review committee that it is not possible to meet these standards;
         b.   If the individual proposing the expansion does not control the area of the approved plans and development, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the approved plans and development if the individual proposing the expansion provides the following:
            (1)   A written statement that the individual proposing the expansion has requested in writing that any owner or owners of the area of the approved plans, or development, comply with the provisions of this chapter and that such owners have rejected the request;
            (2)   A copy of the written request and any of the written responses.
         c.   Lack of control over the area of the approved plans and development may be demonstrated by non-ownership, or existence of a lease, rental agreement or other agreement that prevents, or significantly inhibits alteration of the property in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
      2.   New signs and replacement of existing signs.
      3.   A rezoning request or a comprehensive plan amendment request, on any land within a GZ-2 (Public Preserve Gateway Overlay Zone).
      4.   New residential subdivisions. Applicable development standards for new residential subdivisions are limited to bufferyard standards in 18.78.030(C)(2)(c) and architectural color standards in 18.78.030(F)(2)(b).
   B.   If there is a conflict between this Chapter and Chapters 18.61 (Hillside Development Overlay Zone); 18.67 (Buffer Overlay Zone); 18.73 (Landscaping, Buffering and Screening Standards); 18.75 (Off-Street Parking and Loading Standards); 18.79 (Sign Standards) or Section 18.77.040 (Scenic Routes), the most restrictive applies unless otherwise indicated in this chapter.
(Ord. 2006-30 § 2 (part), 2006; Ord. 2001-162 § 2 (part), 2001)
18.78.030   Development Standards.
   A.   Scope. This section provides general standards for parking and circulation, landscaping, site design, signs, and architectural design. Development must be consistent with the Gateway Development Guidelines Manual.
   B.   Parking and Circulation.
      1.   Design Objective. Provide functional, efficient, parking facilities and circulation corridors that are visually attractive and unobtrusive from off-site. Use landscape and other design features to interrupt large expanses of paving in large parking lots to create smaller areas of connected parking facilities.
      2.   Standards.
         a.   Parking facilities shall be designed in compliance with Chapter 18.75.
         b.   Pedestrian facilities are required adjacent to or within the arterial or collector rights of way and shall be designed in accordance with County Subdivision and Development Street Standards Manual.
         c.   Internal pedestrian facilities shall be designed according to the following:
            (1)   Pedestrian facilities adjacent to buildings shall be connected to pedestrian facilities within parking lots.
            (2)   Internal and adjacent off-site pedestrian facilities shall be interconnected.
         d.   Parking lots for non-residential and multiple dwelling uses shall be screened by a minimum three-foot-high decorative masonry wall placed at the inside boundary of any required bufferyard. Minor variations may be allowed. This wall shall satisfy any Chapter 18.72 bufferyard structure requirement.
   C.   Landscaping Standards.
      1.   Objective.
         a.   To provide for physical, and visual buffers and transition between different land uses.
         b.   To break up large expanses of paving within large parking lots by creating small scale areas of connected parking facilities.
         c.   To create an aesthetically attractive site design.
      2.   Standards.
         a.   Gateway Overlay Zone setback areas shall be landscaped in accordance with Chapter 18.73 (Landscaping, Buffering and Screening Standards) unless otherwise indicated in this chapter.
         b.   Emphasis shall be placed on retaining and enhancing any existing indigenous vegetation. Introduced landscape plants must be chosen from the Buffer Overlay list of plants contained in the Landscape Design Manual.
         c.   Bufferyards.
            (1)   In no case shall bufferyards along arterials and collectors be less than 20 feet in width.
            (2)   Bufferyards shall be in common areas for residential subdivisions.
            (3)   Slopes in bufferyards may not exceed a ratio of four-to-one horizontal to vertical distance, except in natural bufferyards.
            (4)   Splash pads and other limited areas of stormwater drainage structures may be allowed with the approval of the planning official and the county engineer, unless a natural bufferyard option specified by the Pima County Landscape Design Manual is utilized.
            (5)   Non-hard surface trails required by Pima County Natural Resources Department may be located within bufferyards, provided that the width of the trail does not exceed eight feet.
         d.   Internal Site Landscaping.
            (1)   All disturbed areas not used for buildings, parking, access, approved trails, or stormwater drainage structures shall be landscaped with a minimum of 1 tree, 4 shrubs, and 10 accent plants per every 200 square feet and shall be curbed or otherwise protected when adjacent to vehicular use areas, unless otherwise required.
            (2)   A landscaped area with an average width of five feet shall be provided along the frontages of buildings visible from off-site. The area shall be located between main building entries and parking areas. The landscaped area shall contain a minimum of 8 shrubs, and 10 accent plants for every 40 linear feet and may be used to meet amenity landscape requirements.
   D.   Site Design.
      1.   Objective.
         a.   Improve the quality of commercial, industrial, multi-family, and single-family development design through comprehensive site design that provides internal and external connectivity.
         b.   Connect the building and pedestrian pathways to the street and adjacent sites by coordinating its placement with properties that conform to these design standards and guidelines.
         c.   Encourage creativity and design through the use of guidelines.
      2.   Standards.
         a.   Parcels larger than five acres and under one ownership shall be planned as one development.
         b.   Non-residential development and parcels larger than five acres shall be designed to promote internal circulation for pedestrians.
         c.   Linkages shall be provided to adjacent preserves, parks, and trails where connections may be made.
         d.   Outdoor lighting shall conform to Chapter 15.12 of the Pima County Code.
         e.   All drainage structures shall be landscaped as required or recommended by the storm water drainage manual, and shall be shown on the landscape plan submitted with development plans and plats.
         f.   Utilities shall be underground. Utility plans shall be coordinated and consistent with development and landscape plans. Proposed utility easements may not be located within required bufferyards except to cross the bufferyard perpendicularly.
         g.   Sidewalks are required along all arterial and collector routes and shall be a minimum of four-feet-wide. If a sidewalk is located within the required bufferyard, a minimum six-foot-wide planting area containing 1 tree spaced at a minimum of 40 feet on center shall be located between the sidewalk and the right-of-way. This strip may be used to meet bufferyard width requirements, provided that all other requirements are met.
         h.   No parking area may be larger than 48,000 square feet on sites larger than five acres containing more than one building pad without separation, by a building pad or building's associated landscaping, from other parking areas by a minimum five-feet-wide curbed landscape strip containing a minimum of 1 tree, 4 shrubs, and 10 accent plants for every 40 linear feet. The landscape strip may contain site-lighting fixtures. The landscaped strip may contain pedestrian walkways to connect interior pedestrian circulation paths constructed perpendicular to the length of the landscape strip.
         i.   Parking lots adjacent to property lines closest to the nearest public preserve shall be screened using a minimum 20-foot-wide landscape buffer, planted at the density of a type D bufferyard as required by the Landscape Design Manual, except where the Design Review Committee determines that the additional bufferyard will not provide visual screening of the development.
   E.   Signs.
      1.   Objective.
         a.   Provide for an effective form of communication while minimizing visual impacts on and off-site.
         b.   Ensure that the signage is clear, and compatible with the character of the Gateway Overlay Zone.
         c.   Enhance the potential economic value and encourage quality development within the community.
      2.   Standards.
         a.   All signs shall be designed to be architecturally compatible with the development complex as approved by the Design Review Committee.
         b.   Illumination. Illumination of signs may be accomplished only by one of the following methods:
            (1)   Halo Illumination
            (2)   Internal illumination to the extent that only the sign characters and logos emit light.
         c.   Illumination time restriction.
            (1)   An illuminated wall sign shall be turned off no later than one hour after the closing of a business.
            (2)   An illuminated sign in the interior of a business, which is visible from the outside, cannot be illuminated when the business is closed.
         d.   Prohibited lighting. The following types of light sources are prohibited as means to illuminate or attract attention to any sign:
            (1)   Blinking, flashing, rotating and animated light sources.
            (2)   Search lights.
   F.   Architectural Design.
      1.   Objective. To improve the quality of development in the Gateway Overlay Zone through instituting design standards and guidelines for new construction and alterations. The design guidelines and standards are intended to reflect the historic, natural, southwestern, or rural character of Pima County.
      2.   Standards for non-residential developments.
         a.   Building Façades. All façades, except as noted, shall have visual elements designed to break up large scales and shall prevent a uniform appearance by:
            (1)   Incorporating wall plane projections or recesses with a depth of at least 3 percent of the length of the façade. Such features shall include at least 20 percent of the length of the façade.
            (2)   Limiting uninterrupted length of any façade to a maximum of 100 horizontal feet.
            (3)   Designing ground floor façades longer than 100 feet facing public streets with arcades, entry areas, awnings or other features along no less than 60 percent of the façade.
            (4)   Including no less than 3 of the following items in a pattern that repeats at intervals of no less than 30 feet:
               (a)   Color change;
               (b)   Texture change;
               (c)   Material module change;
               (d)   Expression of architectural or structural bay through a change in plane no less than 12 inches in width, such as an off-set, reveal, or projecting rib.
         b.   Architectural Colors.
            (1)   All exposed exterior walls and roofs of buildings, retaining walls, and accessory structures that are visible from a designated Gateway Overlay Zone shall be consistent with the natural colors of the surrounding area and shall blend in with the natural setting. Corporate colors are prohibited if they are not compatible with existing natural colors as outlined in Section 18.78.030(F)(2)(b)(2)
            (2)   Allowable colors include, but are not limited to, blues, greens, yellows, browns, rusts, sepias, sands, tans, buffs, olive and grey as they occur in nature at the site.
            (3)   Applicant shall demonstrate that colors complement and blend with surrounding development landscape colors.
            (4)   Colors shall complement and blend with surrounding vistas.
            (5)   Colors shall not exceed a light-reflective value (LRV) of 48 percent.
            (6)   These colors do not apply to a roof screened by a parapet wall extending at least three feet above the building or to building accessories with minor accent colors that are part of the architectural design such as decorative tiles, fixtures, striping, awnings, or decorative entryways.
         c.   Building Height.
            (1)   Commercial and multi-family building heights may not exceed 34 feet anywhere along the roofline and may not exceed an average height of 28 feet.
            (2)   Average building height shall be determined by measuring from finished grade five feet from the building to the highest point on the building at intervals of five feet around the building perimeter and then averaging the results.
(Ord. 2006-30 § 2 (part), 2006; Ord. 2001-162 § 2 (part), 2001)
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