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Tucson Overview
Tucson, AZ Code of Ordinances
TUCSON, ARIZONA CHARTER AND GENERAL ORDINANCES
ADOPTING ORDINANCES
PART I CHARTER*
PART II TUCSON CODE
Chapter 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 2 ADMINISTRATION*
Chapter 3 RESERVED*
Chapter 4 ANIMALS AND FOWL*
Chapter 5 BICYCLES AND SHARED MOBILITY DEVICES*
Chapter 6 BUILDINGS, ELECTRICITY, PLUMBING, AND MECHANICAL CODE*
Chapter 7 BUSINESSES REGULATED*
Chapter 7A CABLE COMMUNICATIONS*
Chapter 7B COMPETITIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Chapter 7C RESERVED*
Chapter 7D LOCATION AND RELOCATION OF FACILITIES IN RIGHTS-OF-WAY
Chapter 8 CITY COURT*
Chapter 9 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS*
Chapter 10 CIVIL SERVICE--HUMAN RESOURCES*
Chapter 10A COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Chapter 10B HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT*
Chapter 10C RESERVED*
Chapter 11 CRIMES AND OFFENSES*
Chapter 11A GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT*
Chapter 11B PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT*
Chapter 12 ELECTIONS*
Chapter 12A BUSINESS SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Chapter 13 FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION*
Chapter 14 LABOR ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION ELECTION PROCEDURE, MEET AND CONFER AND MEET AND DISCUSS*
Chapter 15 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT*
Chapter 16 NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION*
Chapter 17 HUMAN RELATIONS*
Chapter 18 SELF-INSURED RISK PROGRAM AND TRUST FUND*
Chapter 19 LICENSES AND PRIVILEGE TAXES*
Chapter 20 MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC*
ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Sec. 20-1. Definitions.
Sec. 20-2. Civil traffic violations.
Sec. 20-3. Penalties.
Sec. 20-4. Applicability to public employees.
Sec. 20-5. Applicability to pushcarts, animals, animal-drawn vehicles.
Sec. 20-6. Reserved.
Sec. 20-7. Office of traffic engineer created; general powers, duties.
Sec. 20-8. Enforcement duties of police.
Sec. 20-9. Police authorized to direct traffic; emergency authority.
Sec. 20-10. Authority of officers of fire department.
Sec. 20-11. Reserved.
Sec. 20-11.1. Appointment of park rangers as special policemen.
Sec. 20-11.2. Jurisdiction of special policemen.
Sec. 20-11.3. Authority of special policemen.
Sec. 20-11.4. Status of special policemen.
Sec. 20-11.5. Compensation of special policemen.
Sec. 20-11.6. Revocation of authority.
Sec. 20-11.7. Appointment of community service officers.
Sec. 20-11.8. Authority of community service officers.
Sec. 20-11.9. Appointment of civilian volunteer police assist specialists.
Sec. 20-11.10. Authority of civilian volunteer police assist specialists.
Sec. 20-12. Impounding vehicles--When permitted.
Sec. 20-13. Same--Notice.
Sec. 20-14. Same--Redemption or sale.
Sec. 20-15. Truck routes established.
Sec. 20-15.1. Driving vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twenty thousand (20,000) pounds on streets not designated as truck routes prohibited; exceptions.
Sec. 20-15.2. Exceptions to truck route restrictions.
Sec. 20-16. Special permission required to use streets not designated for trucks or to operate or move vehicles, loads or mobile homes exceeding state limitations; exemptions; permit and fee structure; violation a civil infraction.
Sec. 20-17. Districts where loading, unloading large vehicles prohibited; variances.
Sec. 20-18. Governmental vehicles exempt from truck route and loading or unloading provisions.
Sec. 20-19. Driving on property of another prohibited without permission.
Secs. 20-19.1, 20-20. Reserved.
Sec. 20-21. Driving in parks and playgrounds.
Sec. 20-21.1. Reserved.
Sec. 20-22. Driving on city-owned property.
Sec. 20-23. Reserved.
Sec. 20-24. Reserved.
Sec. 20-25. Boarding, alighting from moving vehicles.
Sec. 20-26. Opening vehicle doors into traffic.
Sec. 20-27. Unlawful riding.
Sec. 20-28. Roller skating, skateboards, coasting, toy vehicles, prohibited on roadways; skateboards prohibited in central business district areas and all library property and facilities within the Tucson-Pima Library System; exceptions:
Sec. 20-29. Requirement for helmet use; Bicycle renters and sellers; civil penalties; waiver of fine.
Sec. 20-30. Operating motorized skateboards and motorized play vehicles; definitions; prohibitions; penalty.
Secs. 20-31--20-39. Reserved.
ARTICLE II. ADMINISTRATION
ARTICLE III. PEDESTRIANS
ARTICLE IV. TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES*
ARTICLE V. OPERATION*
ARTICLE VI. ONE-WAY STREETS AND STOP STREETS
ARTICLE VII. STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING*
ARTICLE VIII. TAXICAB REGULATIONS*
ARTICLE IX. TROLLEYS
ARTICLE X. SOLICITING EMPLOYMENT, BUSINESS OR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLES
Chapter 21 PARKS AND RECREATION*
Chapter 22 PENSIONS, RETIREMENT, GROUP INSURANCE, LEAVE BENEFITS AND OTHER INSURANCE BENEFITS*
Chapter 23 LAND USE CODE*
Chapter 23A DEVELOPMENT COMPLIANCE CODE*
Chapter 23B UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE*
Chapter 24 SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL*
Chapter 25 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS*
Chapter 26 FLOODPLAIN, STORMWATER, AND EROSION HAZARD MANAGEMENT*
Chapter 27 WATER*
Chapter 28 TUCSON PROCUREMENT CODE*
Chapter 29 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Chapter 30 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION*
DISPOSITION TABLE - 1953 CODE
CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE
Tucson, AZ Unified Development Code
Tucson Administrative Directives
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Sec. 20-13. Same--Notice.
   Sec. 20-13(1). If owner known. Whenever an officer removes a vehicle from a street as authorized in section 20-12, and the officer knows or is able to ascertain from the registration records in the vehicle the name and address of the owner thereof such officer shall immediately give or cause to be given notice in writing to such owner of the fact of such removal and the reasons therefor and of the place to which such vehicle has been removed. In the event any such vehicle is stored in a public garage, a copy of such notice shall be given to the proprietor of such garage.
   Sec. 20-13(2). If owner unknown. Whenever a traffic agent removes a vehicle from a street under section 20-12 and does not know and is not able to ascertain the name of the owner, or for any other reason is unable to give the notice to the owner as herein before provided, and in the event the vehicle is not returned to the owner within a period of three (3) days, the traffic agent shall immediately send or cause to be sent a written report of such removal by mail to the motor vehicle division, state highway department, whose duty it is to register motor vehicles, and shall file a copy of such notice with the proprietor of any public garage in which the vehicle may be stored. Such notice shall include a complete description of the vehicle, the date, time and place from which removed, the reasons for such removal, and name of the garage or place where the vehicle is stored.
(1953 Code, ch 17, § 18; Ord. No. 10418, § 2, 6-12-07)
Sec. 20-14. Same--Redemption or sale.
Application for redemption of a vehicle impounded under the provisions of sections 20-12 and 20-13 shall be made by the owner or his duly authorized agent, who shall be entitled to the possession thereof upon payment to the city of the sum of five dollars ($5.00), together with all other costs of removal, storage, and any assessments due pursuant to section 20-203 that may have accrued thereon. In the event the vehicle impounded shall not be redeemed by its owner or agent within thirty (30) days, then such vehicle shall be sold for such penalty, charges, costs and any assessments due pursuant to section 20-203 that may have accrued thereon, in a manner provided by A.R.S. Title 28. This remedy shall be cumulative of any and all other penalties provided by this chapter.
(1953 Code, ch. 17, § 19; Ord. No. 8464, § 3, 3-20-95; Ord. No. 8958, § 7, 9-22-97; Ord. No. 9697, § 2, 4-15-02)
Sec. 20-15. Truck routes established.
Within the incorporated city all streets identified as arterial or collector streets in the Major Streets and Routes Plan, adopted by Resolution 12340 and as amended, are hereby established as truck routes.
(1953 Code, ch. 17, § 20; Ord. No. 3448, § 1, 5-18-70; Ord. No. 5927, § 1, 12-19-83; Ord. No. 7757, § 2, 1-27-92; Ord. No. 10418, § 2, 6-12-07)
Sec. 20-15.1. Driving vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twenty thousand (20,000) pounds on streets not designated as truck routes prohibited; exceptions.
   (a)   All vehicles having a total gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twenty thousand (20,000) pounds, including, but not limited to, trucks, truck tractors, road tractors, trailers, semitrailers, vehicle transporters, or any combination of such vehicles, shall use only those streets established as truck routes. It is unlawful to drive any vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twenty thousand (20,000) pounds on a street not established as a truck route, except as provided in section 20-15.2 below, or where a permit has been issued by the chief of police, or that officer's designee, pursuant to the procedures set forth in section 20-16.
   (b)   The director of transportation, or the director's designee, is authorized to prohibit certain vehicles from using certain designated streets, including truck routes, by the placement of appropriate signs limiting the gross weight of vehicles permitted to use those streets. However, the vehicles may use the streets designated under this section to make a delivery or pickup or to provide services to a property as permitted under section 20-15.2(b).
(Ord. No. 7757, § 3, 1-27-92; Ord. No. 8270, § 2, 11-21-94; Ord. No. 10418, § 2, 6-12-07)
Sec. 20-15.2. Exceptions to truck route restrictions.
   (a)   Section 20-15.1 does not apply to recreational vehicles.
   (b)   A vehicle regulated under section 20-15.1 may:
   (1)   Leave the truck routes by the shortest route to perform the following activities, after which it must return to the nearest designated truck route.
   (i)   Deliver, pick up, load, or unload merchandise, materials, or equipment, including furniture and other household goods, except as prohibited under section 20-17; or
   (ii)   Provide construction, repair, or similar services to a property.
   (2)   Drive on any street within a business district, except as prohibited under section 20-15.1(b) or section 20-17.
(Ord. No. 7757, § 3, 1-27-92)
Sec. 20-16. Special permission required to use streets not designated for trucks or to operate or move vehicles, loads or mobile homes exceeding state limitations; exemptions; permit and fee structure; violation a civil infraction.
   (a)   Except as may be otherwise specifically provided in subsection (b), where it is necessary for a vehicle whose use of city streets is regulated under section 20-15.1(a) to use a street not established as a truck route pursuant to section 20-15; or for any oversize or overweight vehicle, load, or mobile home to use any street, whether established as a truck route or not, that lies within the corporate limits of the city and that is not designated as a state highway, application shall be made to the chief of police, or that officer's designee, for a permit for such use under police department supervision, and no such use of streets as is set forth in this subsection shall occur, unless and until such permit is issued.
   (b)   A permit pursuant to subsection (a) is not required in the following situations:
   (1)   Where a vehicle whose use of city streets is regulated under section 20-15.1(a) engages in activities specifically authorized by section 20-15.2(b).
   (2)   Where the total maximum width of the vehicle, or of the vehicle and load, does not exceed one hundred two (102) inches, exclusive of safety equipment, and the operation or movement takes place solely on streets established as truck routes pursuant to section 20-15.
   (3)   Where the vehicle is exempted from size, weight and load limitations under A.R.S. section 28-1001(b), or any successor provision(s).
   (c)   The chief of police, or that officer's designee, is hereby authorized to issue the permits required under subsection (a). The categories of authorized permits shall be as follows: single trip permits, mobile home permits, thirty-day permits, envelope permits, and annual permits. Permits to use a street not designated as a truck route shall be issued on a single trip or thirty-day basis only. Envelope permits shall be issued on an annual basis only, and neither envelope permits nor single trip permits shall be issued for the movement of mobile homes. Any movement of a mobile home subject to the permit requirements of this section shall be undertaken as one continuous journey pursuant to a mobile home permit, which shall be valid for ninety-six (96) hours from the time of issuance.
   (d)   A person seeking any of the types of permits authorized under subsection (c) shall submit an application, accompanied by the corresponding fee as established in subsection (e). Such fees shall be waived for a vehicle, load or mobile home in governmental service. In addition, no fee shall be collected for a vehicle, load, or mobile home for whose operation or movement a valid permit has been issued by the state, a political subdivision of the state, or any other municipality, when the operation or movement of such vehicle, load, or mobile home terminates in or transits the city.
   (e)   Permit fees shall be as follows:
 
Type of Permit
Non Truck Route
Oversize
Overweight
Envelope
Single trip:
$15.00
$ 15.00
$ 25.00
--
Mobile home:
--
$ 15.00
$ 25.00
--
Thirty-day:
$30.00
$ 30.00
$ 50.00
--
Annual:
--
$240.00
$480.00
$600.00
 
Note: The fee for annual permits issued after January 31 of a calendar year shall be reduced by one-twelfth ( 1/12) for each full calendar month that has expired prior to issuance of the permit. Where a vehicle, load, or mobile home is both oversize and overweight, the permit fee shall consist solely of the overweight fee.
   (f)   Upon receipt of the application, and payment of any applicable fee, the chief of police, or that officer's designee, may grant the requested permit. The permit may restrict the use of any street, whether or not established as a truck route, or the operation or movement of any oversize or overweight vehicle, load, or mobile home, by day of the week, time of the day, route, or location within the city, and may set such additional restrictions as are necessary for public safety and convenience.
   (g)   All annual permits issued under this section shall expire at midnight on January 1 of the next calendar year, and persons seeking an annual permit for the new calendar year shall be required to submit a new application and permit fee.
   (h)   Any violation of the provisions of this section, specifically including, but not limited to, the failure to obtain a required permit or to comply with permit restrictions, is declared to be a civil infraction punishable by a mandatory sanction of not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00), nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00), no part of which shall be suspended or waived by the court.
(1953 Code, ch. 17, § 20; Ord. No. 8270, § 3, 11-21-94; Ord. No. 8958, § 7, 9-22-97)
Sec. 20-17. Districts where loading, unloading large vehicles prohibited; variances.
   (a)   No single-unit vehicle having more than two (2) axles or having an overall length in excess of twenty-six (26) feet, and no tractor-semitrailer having more than three (3) axles or having an overall length in excess of forty (40) feet shall be permitted to load or unload any packages of merchandise within that district bounded on the north by the south and west line of Toole Avenue and Franklin Street, on the east by the east line of Fourth Avenue, on the south by the south line of Fourteenth Street and Cushing Street, and on the west by the west line of Granada Avenue, between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
   (b)   The director of transportation, or the director's designee, may grant written variances from the provisions as set forth in subsection (a) provided:
   (1)   The nature of the merchandise being delivered is exceptional; or
   (2)   The nature of the business or service on the property is exceptional; and
   (3)   The applicant can conform to any required barricading and signing as set forth in section 25-24; and
   (4)   The variance is not against the public interest, safety, convenience or general welfare.
(1953 Code, ch. 17, § 21; Ord. No. 7157, § 1, 3-20-89; Ord. No. 10418, § 2, 6-12-07)
Sec. 20-18. Governmental vehicles exempt from truck route and loading or unloading provisions.
The provisions of sections 20-15 through 20-17 shall not be construed to prohibit the use of any street, alley or area of the city by vehicles of the United States Government, this state, county or city while in performance of their official or normal duties.
(1953 Code, ch. 17, § 22)
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