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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*
ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Sec. 2-1. City office hours.
Sec. 2-2. Absences of appointive officers and heads of office and vacancies in appointive officers and heads of office positions.
Sec. 2-3. Compensation of senior officers acting as department heads.
Sec. 2-4. Residency requirement for specified city officers and employees.
Sec. 2-5. Building safety division; chief inspector.
Sec. 2-6. Sale of property for nonpayment of district assessments.
Sec. 2-7. Statute of limitations on unpaid warrants.
Sec. 2-8. Mayor's expense account.
Sec. 2-9. Reserved.
Sec. 2-9.1. Reserved.
Sec. 2-10. Civil liability of city; notice of defective condition required.
Sec. 2-11. Reserved.
Sec. 2-12. Reserved.
Sec. 2-13. Salary of employee during injury or sickness; salary paid to supplement workers' compensation; lien.
Sec. 2-14. Reserved.
Sec. 2-15. County health officer to enforce health, sanitation, food regulations; obstructing, resisting health officer.
Sec. 2-16. Authority of city manager to execute certain utility rights-of-way.
Sec. 2-16.1. Authority of city manager to administer the city real estate program.
Sec. 2-17. Acceptance of dedications.
Sec. 2-18. City fixed route, regularly scheduled bus system called Sun Tran and modern streetcar system called Sun Link; fares; eligibility and prohibited activity.
Sec. 2-19. City curb-to-curb barrier-free transportation service called Sun Van, the complementary paratransit service; fares; eligibility and prohibited activity.
Sec. 2-20. Transit system rules and regulations.
Sec. 2-21. Promotional discount fare program for the Sun Tran fixed route bus and Sun Link modern streetcar systems.
Sec. 2-22. City Sun Tran, Sun Link and paratransit service systems fare subsidy program for low-income individuals; fare subsidies; eligibility and prohibited activity.
Sec. 2-22.1. False information or refusal to provide information to obtain or retain low income assistance.
Sec. 2-23. Permits for use of community center.
Sec. 2-24. Fees chargeable for background check before transfer of handguns.
Sec. 2-25. Authorization.
Sec. 2-25.1. Fingerprint clearance and criminal history check.
Sec. 2-25.2. Parks and recreation department.
Sec. 2-25.3. Housing and community development department.
Sec. 2-25.4. Public safety communications and fire department.
Sec. 2-25.5. Information technology.
Sec. 2-25.6. Public resources and emergency management.
ARTICLE II. MAYOR AND COUNCIL
ARTICLE III. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND INTEGRATED PLANNING*
ARTICLE IV. RESERVED*
ARTICLE V. BONDS OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES*
ARTICLE VI. CITY CLERK RECORDS MANAGEMENT*
ARTICLE VII. RESERVE POLICE OFFICER PROGRAM
ARTICLE VIII. SPECIAL DUTY POLICE SERVICES PROGRAM
ARTICLE IX. DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY AND MONEY BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
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*
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. 2-14. Reserved.
   Editor's note – Section 2-14, relating to compensation of unclassified appointive officers, added as 1953 Code, ch. 2, §§ 69, 70, by Ord. No. 2005, § 1, adopted Feb. 3, 1960, was repealed by § 1 of Ord. No. 7383, adopted Mar. 19, 1990. The plan had been amended by the following ordinances:
   Ord. No. 2137, § 2, 2-6-61
   Ord. No. 2182, §§ 1, 2, 6-5-61
   Ord. No. 2190, § 1, 6-19-61
   Ord. No. 2212, § 2, 9-18-61
   Ord. No. 2288, § 1, 4-16-62
   Ord. No. 2293, § 1, 5-7-62
   Ord. No. 2583, § 1, 2-17-64
   Ord. No. 2754, §§ 2, 3, 4-5-65
   Ord. No. 2845, § 1, 2-7-66
   Ord. No. 2940, §§ 1, 2, 11-28-66
   Ord. No. 2982, § 1, 2-20-67
   Ord. No. 2986, § 1, 3-20-67
   Ord. No. 3032, §§ 1, 2, 8-14-67
   Ord. No. 3126, § 1, 5-27-68
   Ord. No. 3150, §§ 1--3, 7-22-67
   Ord. No. 3344, § 1, 10-16-69
   Ord. No. 3406, § 1, 2-2-70
   Ord. No. 3646, §§ 3, 4, 5-10-71
   Ord. No. 3786, § 1, 1-24-72
   Ord. No. 3814, §§ 1, 2, 3-27-72
   Ord. No. 3844, § 1, 5-15-72
   Ord. No. 3878, § 1, 7-3-72
   Ord. No. 3965, § 2, 12-8-72
   Ord. No. 3994, §§ 1, 2, 2-26-73
   Ord. No. 4038, § 1, 6-25-73
   Ord. No. 4119, § 1, 12-17-73
   Ord. No. 4198, § 1, 6-17-74
   Ord. No. 4203, § 1, 7-1-74
   Ord. No. 4288, §§ 1, 2, 11-25-74
   Ord. No. 4425, § 1, 12-30-75
   Ord. No. 4435, § 1, 1-26-76
   Ord. No. 4523, § 1, 6-21-76
   Ord. No. 4682, § 1, 7-5-77
   Ord. No. 4735, § 1, 12-19-77
   Ord. No. 4849, § 1, 7-3-78
   Ord. No. 4984, § 1, 6-4-79
   Ord. No. 5164, § 1, 5-27-80
   Ord. No. 5399, § 1, 6-29-81
   Ord. No. 5599, § 1, 6-28-82
   Ord. No. 5724, §§ 1, 2, 2-28-83
   Ord. No. 5798, § 2, 7-5-83
   Ord. No. 6040, § 2, 6-25-85
   Ord. No. 6264, § 2, 6-24-85
   Ord. No. 6452, § 2, 6-16-86
   Ord. No. 6735, § 4, 7-6-87
   Ord. No. 7004, §§ 2, 8, 7-5-88
   Ord. No. 7243, § 6, 7-3-89
   Ord. No. 7275, §§ 5, 6, 9-11-89
   See now § 10-31.
Sec. 2-15. County health officer to enforce health, sanitation, food regulations; obstructing, resisting health officer.
The county health officer and his deputies shall have authority to enforce any provisions of this Code pertaining to health, sanitation, food and food establishments. Any person who shall obstruct or resist the health officer or his deputies in the legal exercise of his duties shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(1953 Code, ch. 15, § 4; Ord. No. 2077, § 3, 8-1-60)
Sec. 2-16. Authority of city manager to execute certain utility rights-of-way.
The city manager may execute licenses or easements to utility companies under, on or over city-owned property for utility rights-of-way when it is a condition to providing utility services to installations on city owned properties; such licenses or easements shall be coterminous with the need of utility services and shall be approved as to form by the city attorney.
(Ord. No. 3000, § 1, 5-8-67)
Sec. 2-16.1. Authority of city manager to administer the city real estate program.
Subject to the control of the mayor and council, the city manager shall have authority to administer the real estate program including the assignment of functions and duties related to real estate and processing leases and property acquisition agreements in accordance with Arizona law and the Tucson Code.
(Ord. No. 10578, § 1, 9-23-08, eff. 7-1-08)
Sec. 2-17. Acceptance of dedications.
The recording in the office of the proper county recorder in the state by the city clerk of any instrument accepted by the city manager, which is a dedication of any type of a right-of-way, such as a street, alley, easement, drainageway, or of a park or other area shall be presumed to be an acceptance thereof by the mayor and council of the city and the city. The city manager is hereby authorized to execute an acceptance on such instruments.
(Ord. No. 3419, § 1, 3-1-70)
   Cross References: Parks and recreation, ch. 21; streets and sidewalks, ch. 25.
Sec. 2-18. City fixed route, regularly scheduled bus system called Sun Tran and modern streetcar system called Sun Link; fares; eligibility and prohibited activity.
   (a)   Sun Tran system: The city provides a fixed route, regularly scheduled mass transportation bus system called Sun Tran.
   (b)   Sun Link system: The city provides a fixed rail, regularly scheduled mass transportation system called Sun Link.
   (c)   Fares: The fares for the Sun Tran and Sun Link systems shall be as follows:
   (1)   Full fare (cash):
 
FY 2017
FY 2018
Per Ride, $0.25 surcharge over stored value fare
$1.75
$1.75
 
   (2)   Full fare (stored value):
 
FY 2017
FY 2018
Per Ride (Base Fare)
$1.50
$1.60
Per Day
$3.75
$4.00
30 Day Pass
$45.00
$45.00
Annual Pass
$450.00
$480.00
 
   (3)   Economy fare (cash):
 
FY 2017
FY 2018
Per Ride, $0.15 surcharge over stored value fare
$0.75
$0.75
 
   (4)   Economy fare (stored value):
 
FY 2017
FY2018
Per Ride
$0.60
$0.75
30 Day Pass
$18.00
$22.50
 
   (5)   Express fare:
 
FY 2017
FY2018
Per Ride
$2.25
$2.35
30 Day Pass
$60.00
$64.00
 
   (6)   Transfers to regular routes and streetcar: Free for passengers paying appropriate fare and accompanied by appropriately issued transfer medium as determined by the director of transportation.
   (7)   Transfers to express routes: Passengers must pay a surcharge equal to the difference between the one-way base fare in the appropriate fare category and the one-way express fare.
   (8)   Children: Free for persons five (5) years of age or under when accompanied by paying adult.
   (9)   Ridership incentive programs: To encourage ridership among specific groups of persons shall be as follows:
      a.   University of Arizona pass: For employees and students of the University of Arizona, as follows:
 
FY2017
FY2018
Fall Semester Pass, effective August 1 through December 31 of each calendar year
$180.00
$192.00
Fall Semester Express Pass, effective August 1 through December 31 of each calendar year
$240.00
$256.00
Spring Semester Pass, effective January 1 through May 31 of each calendar year
$180.00
$192.00
Spring Semester Express Pass, effective January 1 through May 31 of each calendar year
$240.00
$256.00
Annual Pass, effective August 1 through July 31
$450.00
$480.00
Annual Express Pass, effective August 1 through July 31
$570.00
$608.00
 
      b.   Semester pass: For students of all other local public and private educational institutions registered with Sun Tran as a bulk sales organization, as follows:
 
FY2017
FY2018
Fall Semester Pass, effective August 1 through December 31 of each calendar year
$180.00
$192.00
Fall Semester Express Pass, effective August 1 through December 31 of each calendar year
$240.00
$256.00
Spring Semester Pass, effective January 1 through May 31 of each calendar year
$180.00
$192.00
Spring Semester Express Pass, effective January 1 through May 31 of each calendar year
$240.00
$256.00
 
      c.   Shuttle service: To decrease traffic congestion and parking problems at specific community events. All event shuttles must be self-supporting with the cost off-set by bus advertising and fare revenues. Fares charged are not to exceed the base fare with no premium fares. All event shuttles must be publicized, open to the general public and within the Tucson service area.
      d.   SummerGO Youth Pass: For youth ages six (6) to eighteen (18) years old, pass valid for seventy-six (76) days between the end of May and beginning of August each year, based on the local K-12 academic calendars, as follows:
 
FY 2017
(eff. 5-1-17)
FY 2018
(eff. 1-1-18)
SummerGO Youth Pass*
$45.00**
$45.00**
 
   *Not tied to the base fare
   **Includes $15 fee for Parks & Recreation
      e.   3-day Pass: For unlimited rides for three (3) consecutive days (seventy-two (72) hours) after it is activated on a transit vehicle.
 
FY 2019 (eff. 8-9-18)
3-day Pass*
$10.00
 
   *Not tied to the base fare
      f.    $25 Stored Value for $20 Purchase ($25 for $20) Program: Allows SunGO Card holders to load $25 in value for a $20 purchase price
 
FY 2019 (eff. 8-9-18)
$25 Stored Value for $20 Purchase ($25 for $20) Program*
$20.00*
 
   *Full fare only
   (10)   Administrative processing fee: An administrative processing fee, to be determined by the city manager in conjunction with the director of the department of transportation, may be added to the cost of each pass type.
   (11)   Product fee: A product fee, to be determined by the city manager in conjunction with the director of the department of transportation, may be added to the cost of each card or ticket to recover the cost of the fare media.
   (d)   Seniors, persons with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, and low-income program fare eligibility and prohibited activity: A special class of riders, referred to as “seniors, persons with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, and qualified low-income individuals” may qualify for the economy fare subject to the following provisions:
   (1)   Eligibility criteria determined by the mayor and council: Only those individuals who qualify under the mayor and council’s definition of eligibility shall be eligible for this special fare; eligibility for the fare shall be demonstrated by an identification card, the form and substance of the card to be determined by the city manager.
   (2)   Seniors: Persons sixty-five (65) years of age or over shall be eligible for the economy fare on the Sun Tran and Sun Link systems.
   (3)   Persons with disabilities: Persons with disabilities shall be eligible for the economy fare on the Sun Tran and Sun Link systems.
   (4)   Medicare cardholders: Medicare cardholders shall be eligible for the economy fare on the Sun Tran and Sun Link systems.
   (5)   Low-income individuals: Persons qualified through the City of Tucson’s low-income program shall be eligible for the economy fare on the Sun Tran and Sun Link systems.
   (6)   Nonprofit program: Organizations in the nonprofit program shall be eligible to purchase economy fares on behalf of an organization’s qualified clients on the Sun Tran and Sun Link systems. The nonprofit program shall be defined and facilitated as determined by the director of transportation.
      a.   Discount one (1) day pass: Organizations in the nonprofit program shall be eligible to purchase for clients not yet qualified for the economy program as follows:
 
FY 2017
FY 2018
Discounted Day Pass
$2.00
$2.05
 
      b.   Economy thirty (30) day ticket: Organizations in the nonprofit program shall be eligible to purchase an economy thirty (30) day ticket for those clients who have obtained the appropriate ID required for purchase of economy fares as follows:
 
FY 2017
FY 2018
Discounted 30 Day Pass
$18.00
$22.50
 
   (7)   Proof of eligibility: The mayor and council hereby authorize the city manager, in conjunction with the director of the department of transportation, to promulgate appropriate forms for application for reduced fares on the Sun Tran and Sun Link systems, and to establish reasonable standards of proof for eligibility for seniors, persons with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, and low-income individual. Such standards shall be in writing, made available to all applicants, and on file with the city clerk.
   (8)   Revocation of eligibility, appeal to the city manager: When, in the opinion of the city, a person is continuing to utilize benefits of the economy fare program of the Sun Tran and Sun Link systems and that person no longer meets the eligibility standards set forth herein, the city shall have the authority to revoke that person’s eligibility and require that person to surrender his or her identification card to the city. Such notice of revocation shall be in writing, sent to that person by certified mail, registered return receipt, and shall set forth with specificity the reasons for terminating that person’s eligibility for the city’s economy fare program. Any person whose eligibility is revoked by the city shall have the right to appeal the revocation to the city manager within ten (10) days of the date of notice of the revocation.
   (9)   Misdemeanor for using false information in application for eligibility: It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to knowingly use false information when applying for eligibility for the city economy fare program.
(Ord. No. 4525, § 1, 6-28-76; Ord. No. 4535, § 1, 7-6-76; Ord. No. 4536, § 1, 7-6-76; Ord. No. 4669, § 1, 6-20-77; Ord. No. 5145, § 2, 5-5-80; Ord. No. 5916, § 1, 12-12-83; Ord. No. 6210, § 1, 4-8-85; Ord. No. 6233, § 1, 5-13-85; Ord. No. 6436, § 1, 5-27-86; Ord. No. 7173, § 1, 4-17-89; Ord. No. 7824, § 1 6-1-92; Ord. No. 8284, § 1, 5-23-94; Ord. No. 8778, § 1, 11-25-96; Ord. No. 8781, § 1, 11-25-96; Ord. No. 9404, § 1, 6-19-00; Ord. No. 10672, § 1, 6-2-09, eff. 8-1-09; Ord. No. 10887, § 1, 4-12-11, eff. 7-1-11; Ord. No. 11082, § 1, 5-29-13; Ord. No. 11182, § 1, 6-17-14, eff. 7-17-14; Ord. No. 11401, § 1, 9-20-16; Ord. No. 11454, § 1, 4-19-17; Ord. No. 11576, § 1, 8-8-18)
Sec. 2-19. City curb-to-curb barrier-free transportation service called Sun Van, the complementary paratransit service; fares; eligibility and prohibited activity.
   (a)   Paratransit service: The city provides curb-to-curb transportation services to individuals, whose disability prevents them from riding the Sun Tran system. The service is provided by contract providers of the city.
   (b)   Fares: The fares for paratransit service provided by contractors for the city shall be as follows:
 
FY 2017
FY 2018
Full Fare, per ride
$3.00
$3.20
Low-income Fare, per ride
$1.50
$1.60
Children, five (5) years of age when accompanied by a paying adult
Free
Free
Optional ADA*, Full Fare (per ride)
$5.00
$6.00
Optional ADA*, Low Income (per ride)
$3.50
$4.00
 
*Optional ADA rides are rides provided outside of ¾ miles of fixed route service; same day service; and will-call service
   (c)   Eligibility for low-income fare: Rider eligibility for the paratransit service low- income fare shall be established under the city paratransit service system fare subsidy program for low-income individuals.
   (d)   Paratransit service eligibility and prohibited activity: Individuals may qualify for the paratransit service subject to the following provisions:
   (1)   Eligibility: Eligibility shall be demonstrated by an identification card, the form and substance of the card to be determined by the city manager. The mayor and council hereby authorize the city manager, in conjunction with the director of the department of transportation, to promulgate appropriate forms for application for the paratransit service, and to establish reasonable standards of proof for eligibility. Such standards shall be in writing, made available to all applicants, and on file with the city clerk.
   (2)   Revocation of eligibility: When, in the opinion of the city, a person is continuing to utilize the paratransit service and that person no longer meets the eligibility standards set forth herein, the city shall have the authority to revoke that person’s eligibility and require that person to surrender his or her identification card to the city. Such notice of revocation shall be in writing, sent to that person by certified mail, registered return receipt, and shall set forth with specificity the reasons for terminating that person’s eligibility for the city’s paratransit service. Any person whose eligibility is revoked by the city shall have the right to appeal the revocation to the city manager within ten (10) days of the date of notice of the revocation.
   (3)   Misdemeanor for using false information in application for eligibility: It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to knowingly use false information when applying for eligibility for the city paratransit service.
(Ord. No. 4535, § 2, 7-6-76; Ord. No. 4669, § 2, 6-20-77; Ord. No. 5145, § 3, 5-5-80; Ord. No. 5916, § 2, 12-12-83; Ord. No. 6233, § 2, 5-13-85; Ord. No. 6436, § 2, 5-27-86; Ord. No. 8284, § 2, 5-23-94; Ord. No. 8778, § 2, 11-25-96; Ord. No. 8781, § 2, 11-25-96; Ord. No. 9404, § 2, 6-19-00; Ord. No. 10672, § 1, 6-2-09, eff. 8-1-09; Ord. No. 10887, § 1, 4-12-11, eff. 7-1-11; Ord. No. 11082, § 2, 5-29-13; Ord. No. 11401, § 1, 9-20-16)
Sec. 2-20. Transit system rules and regulations.
The city manager, in conjunction with the department of transportation, is hereby authorized by the mayor and council to promulgate rules and regulations for operation of the city transit system, such rules and regulations to be in writing and subject to review by the mayor and council. Rules and regulations promulgated by the city manager shall be for the purpose of safe and efficient operation of the city transit system only.
(Ord. No. 4535, § 3, 7-6-76)
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