5.8.9. DESIGN STANDARDS
   The HPZ Advisory Boards, Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission, staff, PDSD , and Mayor and Council shall be guided by the design standards in this section and the Technical Standards Manual when evaluating proposed applications within the HPZ. Proposed within the HPZ shall be in compliance with the following standards and the standards of the applicable HPZ as provided in Section 9-02.7.0, Specific Historic Preservation Guidelines, the Technical Standards Manual.
   A.   Generally
      1.   
       or additions to a shall properly preserve the historic and architectural characteristics that make it unique, and any changes or additions shall conform to the intrinsic and unique character of the or itself. Any to the interior of a publicly owned shall be reviewed. The applicant should refer to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation when tax certification for rehabilitation work is contemplated.
      2.   
       or additions to a within an HPZ shall reflect the architectural style and characteristics of the existing . The property may be renovated to an earlier historic style that applied to the property. In addition, such or additions shall generally conform to the design standards of within the of the .
      3.   New Construction or
      New construction or or additions to a within an HPZ shall reflect the architectural style of, and be with, the located within its .
   B.   Height
   Heights of principal in the 's are used to compare to proposed new construction of, or additions to, principal . Likewise, the height of proposed is compared to other heights in the , except in the case of Accessory Dwelling Units, where height is compared to the height of other principal in the (See Figure 5.8-A.)
      1.   
       or additions to a shall be no higher than the tallest comparable feature of the existing .
      2.   
       or additions to a shall be constructed no higher than the tallest located within its and shall generally conform to the typical height within the .
      3.   New Construction or
      New construction or or additions to a shall be constructed no higher than the tallest located within its and shall generally conform to the typical height within the .
Figure 5.8-A: Height
   C.    (See Figure 5.8-B.)
      1.   
       or additions to a shall maintain the original front of the existing or the existing within its , provided that such a is with the historic character of the existing . Interior   shall be consistent with those existing within the .
      2.   
       or additions to a shall maintain the prevailing and interior   existing within its .
      3.   New Construction or
      New construction or or additions to a shall maintain the prevailing and interior   existing within its .
Figure 5.8-B:
   D.   
      1.   
       or additions to a shall reflect the of the existing .
      2.   
       or additions to a shall be consistent with the of the existing and with the prevailing of within its .
      3.   New Construction or
      New construction or or additions to a shall reflect the prevailing of within its .
   E.   Roof Types
      1.   
       or additions to a shall have a roof in configuration, mass, and materials to that of the architectural style of the existing .
      2.   
       or additions to a shall have a roof in configuration, mass, and materials to that of the architectural style of the existing .
      3.   New Construction or
      New construction or or additions to a shall have a roof in configuration, mass, and materials to the prevailing historic style and period of the existing within the in which the proposed will be constructed.
   F.   Surface Texture
      1.   
      Surface texture of or additions to a shall be appropriate to the historic style of the existing and the period in which it was constructed.
      2.   
      Surface texture of or additions to a shall be appropriate to the historic style of the existing .
      3.   New Construction or
      New construction or or additions to a shall have a surface texture that is appropriate to the historic style of similar within the and shall reflect the historic periods existing within the HPZ.
   G.   
      1.   
       of a shall be appropriate to the historic period in which the existing was built.
      2.   
       of or additions to a shall be consistent with the of within the .
      3.   New Construction or
       of new construction or or additions to a shall be consistent with the of within the .
   H.   Projections and Recessions
      1.   
      Projections and recessions of a , such as porches, steps, awnings, overhangs, entrances, and windows, shall be appropriate to the style of the existing and the historic period in which it was built.
      2.   
      Projections and recessions of a , such as porches, steps, awnings, overhangs, entrances, and windows, shall be appropriate to the style of the existing .
      3.   New Construction or
      New construction or or additions to a shall have projections and recessions, such as porches, steps, awnings, overhangs, entrances, and windows, that are with the existing historic styles within the and reflect the historic periods of the HPZ.
   I.   Details
      1.   
      Architectural details of a , such as cornices, lintels, arches, grill work, shutters, window and door trim, and canales, shall be appropriate to the historic style of the existing and the historic period in which it was built.
      2.   
      Architectural details of a , such as cornices, lintels, arches, grill work, shutters, window and door trim, and canales, shall be appropriate to the historic style of the existing .
      3.   New Construction or
      New construction or or additions to a shall have architectural details, such as cornices, lintels, arches, grill work, shutters, window and door trim, and canales, that are with the existing historic styles and historic periods of within the .
   J.    Form
      1.   
      Size, mass, and scale of or additions to a shall be with those of the existing .
      2.   
      Size, mass, and scale of or additions to a shall be with the existing and with the within the .
      3.   New Construction or
      New construction or or additions to a shall have size, mass, and scale that are with the existing within the .
   K.   
      1.   
      The , pattern, and of openings of additions or to a shall be with those of the existing .
      2.   
      The , pattern, and of openings of additions or to a shall be with those of the existing and with those of in its .
      3.   New Construction or
      New construction or or additions to a shall reflect the , pattern, and of openings of in its .
   L.   Additional Review Standards
   To provide flexibility in the review of applications that reflect the diverse and unique characteristics of the various HPZs, other pertinent factors generally affecting the appearance, harmony, and efficient functioning of the HPZ may be used as appropriate for the particular application, such as the following:
      1.   Color
      Color of a or , including trim, roof, and other details, shall be appropriate to the architectural style of the subject and its historic period. Color may be reviewed in the context of a required HPZ review; painting alone shall not be considered through an HPZ review.
      2.   
      Plantings and other ornamental features shall reflect the historic period of the subject . may be reviewed in the context of a required HPZ review; alone shall not be considered through an HPZ review.
      3.   
      Fences, walls, or other physical features used to enclose or provide privacy shall be with the architectural style of the subject and with within the and shall reflect the historic period of the HPZ.
      4.   
      New aboveground power and telephone line installation and new utility connections shall be reviewed for appropriateness and , especially the use of electric utility boxes on front facades.
   M.   Signs
   The appearance, color, size, position, method of attachment, texture of materials, and design of signs within an HPZ shall be in keeping with the collective characteristics of the located within the appropriate . Signs allowed in the underlying   shall be further regulated by Article 7A, Sign Standards. The signs allowed in the underlying   are further limited as follows (see Figure 5.8-C):
      1.   Historic Advisory Board Approval
         All sign permit applications must be approved by the appropriate historic advisory board.
      2.   Off-site signs are not permitted;
      3.   Business signs are limited to one sign only for each street per premises. Businesses having on more than two streets are allowed a total of three signs. Businesses are limited to one freestanding sign per premises;
      4.    Maximum Sign Area
      Signs in Residential Zones may be up to eight square feet; signs in Commercial Zones may be up to 40 square feet. The sign shall be appropriately sized, result in minimal damage to historic fabric, and avoid adverse effects on qualities that make a eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
      5.   Height. Signs shall not extend above the top of the nearest facade, eaves, or fire wall of a or ;
      6.    Design and materials of signs
         Visible bulbs, not exceeding 20 watts per bulb, are allowed. Bulbs within fixtures are not limited in wattage. Neon tubing may be allowed on commercially zoned properties, where historically appropriate. Clear plexiglas and acrylic, when used as a substitute for glass, is allowed; otherwise, plastics are not allowed. Luminous paints are not allowed;
      7.   Permitted Signs
         a.   Signs generally permitted and sign types listed in Section 7A.10, except as modified by this subsection for this , and signs exempt under Section 7A.8 Exempt and Prohibited Signs.
         b.    Awning signs.
         c.   Banners, and curbside.
         d.    Freestanding signs, monument and low profile only.
            (1)   Maximum number: One per premises.
            (2)   Freestanding signs that include or consist of a three-dimensional representation of a figure or object are prohibited.
         e.    Portable signs.
            (1)   May be permitted in this only after review and approval by the planning and services , the applicable historic advisory board and the Tucson Pima County Historical Commission.
            (2)   Use is subject to the provisions of Section 7A.10.3, Sign Types and General Standards.
         f.    Projecting signs.
            (1)   Allowed use: Limited to commercial uses only.
            (2)   Maximum height: 20 feet from (pedestrian surface) to top of sign or two feet below the parapet, whichever is more restrictive.
            (3)   Minimum clearance: Eight feet between and bottom of sign.
            (4)   Maximum projection from : Five feet.
         g.    Temporary signs.
         h.   Wall signs.
         i.   Canopy signs, limited to properties zoned HO-2, HO-3, HNC, HC-1, HC-2, HC-3, HOCR-1 and HOCR-2.
         j.   Heritage landmark signs (HLS), all types. The first HLS on a premise does not count toward the maximum total sign area.
      8.   Prohibited Features
         Visible bulbs, neon tubing, luminous paints, and plastics are prohibited, except as provided in Section 5.8.9 HPZ Design Standards and approved in accordance with Section 5.8.8 Design Review Required.
      9.   Illumination. Buildings and signs within the HPZ may be illuminated by remote light sources, provided that these light sources are shielded to protect adjacent properties; and,
      10.   The applicant may apply for a variance from these standards where it can be shown that the proposed sign is consistent with the purpose and intent of the HPZ and is historically authentic. In the alternative, the applicant may request to vary these standards under Article 7A Sign Design Options.
Figure 5.8-C: Signs
   N.   Motor Vehicle and  
   Parking in accordance with Section 7.4, Motor Vehicle and Parking, is required. Parking may be provided on- or off- with zoning that allows parking as a . Off- parking spaces for uses within the HPZ shall not be located more than 600 feet, within the same or another , from the the spaces serve, except within the boundaries of the El Presidio HPZ where required parking spaces may be provided not more than 600 feet beyond the HPZ boundary (See Figure 5.8-D). All new or modified within the HPZ shall be landscaped and screened as required by Section 7.6, and Screening Standards, using structural and plant materials.
Figure 5.8-D:
(Am. Ord. 11150, 3/18/2014; Am. Ord. 11803, 12/8/2020; Am. Ord. 12131, 10/22/2024)