Accessory Dwelling Units Code Amendment

Join the Casita Model Plan Competition

Have a question about Accessory Dwelling Units? Please review our Frequently Answered Questions asked throughout the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Code Amendment process.

ADUs in Tucson – One Year Review  

As of January 7, 2022, Tucson has permitted casitas, or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in zones that allow residential uses. Since then, many people have been interested in converting parts of their property or building new units in their backyards. 

While the zoning restrictions that were one of the largest barriers for ADUs have been changed to allow this housing type, other factors can limit buildability on specific lots. PDSD has been directed to provide resources and technical support to make casitas accessible and affordable to Tucson homeowners and residents. For example, two new building code clarifications help simplify the process or reduce costs. 

PDSD is gathering feedback from ADU applicants and meeting with stakeholders to understand trends, barriers, and suggestions for helpful tools, programs, or collaborations.  

See a January 31 2023 stakeholder meeting summary(PDF, 132KB).

An online ADU One Year Review survey for both ADU permit applicants and those with general feedback about ADUs in Tucson was available from January 18 – February 14, 2023. It was shared with stakeholders & promoted on PDSD social media & ADU project webpage.

Mayor and Council Direction

A review of the first year of Tucson’s ADU Ordinance including stakeholder and ADU applicant feedback and survey results was presented to Mayor & Council March 7, 2023.  

View the ADU One Year Review in this presentation(PDF, 2MB).

Mayor and Council directed staff to return with plans to remove barriers to buidling ADUs, including revisiting impact fees. Reccomendations to address barriers noted in the One Year Review are: 

  1. Develop an ADU ‘pre-approved’ model plan catalog
  2. Create an ADU Directory
  3. Coordinate & Promote COT & Community ADU Programs & Partnerships
  4. Continue to develop amnesty options
  5. Reevaluate impact fee amounts for small infill projects like ADUs during next review cycle

Interested in building a Casita?

Accessory Dwelling Units, or casitas, are now permitted in Tucson on residential lots, subject to certain regulations.

Use this handout(PDF, 1MB) to learn more about the new regulations, and how to design and permit a casita.

Accessory Dwelling Unit code amendment adopted by Mayor and Council

Mayor and Council held a public hearing on December 7, 2021 to reconsider the code amendment to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which had been previously adopted on October 19, 2021. Following the hearing and their deliberations, Mayor and Council adopted an amendment to the Unified Development code to allow ADUs, or casitas.

The code amendment adopted by Mayor & Council allows:

  • One ADU to be built on any residential lot in the city (any lot with one or two homes)
  • The maximum size of the ADU is up to 10% of the lot size, up to a maximum of 1,000 square feet. All lots are allowed an ADU of at least 650 square feet.
  • The maximum height for ADUs is 12' or the height of the primary structure on lots with two-story homes
  • All other dimensional standards regarding lot coverage and setbacks apply
  • One parking space would be required per ADU, which could be waived for sites that are a quarter-mile from transit or a bike boulevard; on-street parking can also be used
  • Each newly constructed ADU would be required to have a cool roof

On October 19, Mayor and Council set a 5-year sunset date for the ordinance, at which point it could be updated/renewed, or sunset from the code, as well as a review of the program in 1 year.

Mayor and Council also directed staff to develop programs to provide resources and technical support to make ADUs accessible and affordable to Tucson homeowners and residents, including a pilot program to fund ADU repairs and improvements, and to establish an amnesty program for unpermitted ADUs.

Accessory dwelling unit examples

  • An ADU is an independent housing unit with its own kitchen, bathroom, living and sleeping space. These units are typically under 1,000-square-feet and are accessory to a primary residence.
  • ADUs can be detached, attached or interior to the primary residence (i.e., through the conversion of a garage, basement, or attic).

Benefits of Accessory Dwelling Units

Accessory Dwelling Units have many benefits. This housing style can be a means to:

  • Increase affordable rental housing supply
  • Encourage more flexible housing options for seniors
  • Support multi-generational households and living arrangements
  • Provide supplemental income to landowners and promote neighborhood stability
  • Support climate-resilient infill development in context with existing neighborhoods

In the past decade, many cities have taken steps to legalize ADUs as a way to add to their affordable housing stock and meet other community goals. California, Oregon, and New Hampshire have enacted legislation to make this housing option available statewide.

Overview of Accessory Dwelling Units proposal

A proposal to allow Accessory Dwelling Units in Tucson has been developed based on input from the public and a stakeholder group.

Learn more: take a look at this flyer(PDF, 2MB) for an overview of the proposal (folleto en Español).(PDF, 4MB)

Have questions related to ADUs? Check out our ADU Frequently Asked Questions here.

Watch a video to see examples of casitas in Tucson and learn more about the proposal!

Additional information and reference materials related to the ADU project

Past Meeting Materials | FAQ | Press Related to the ADU Project | Reference Materials on ADUs

Mayor and Council to hold a virtual public hearing to review the draft Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Code Amendment

On Tuesday, October 19 at 5:30pm, the Mayor and Council will hold a virtual public hearing to review the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Code Amendment.

The public will have two options to provide comment to the Mayor and Council:

  1. Members of the public may submit written comments on any items scheduled as a public hearing. To do so, send an email to cityclerk@tucsonaz.gov. The email should include the individual’s name, and the agenda item for comment. The comments will be limited to no more than 500 words. Comments must be received by no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 18, 2021.
  2. Individuals wishing to speak during the public hearing (subject to technological availability) will join the meeting via teleconference. You must submit a written request to cityclerk@tucsonaz.gov. The email should include your name, and the phone # you will use for the teleconference. The phone # will be used to identify the individual when/if being called upon to speak. Once your request to speak has been received by the City Clerk, you will be provided instructions on how to connect to the teleconference. Requests to speak must be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 19, 2021.

View the meeting agenda

Click here to watch the hearing live.

Planning Commission recommends approval of Accessory Dwelling Units Code Amendment after Public Hearing

The Planning Commission held a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, September 15 at 6pm to take additional public comment related to the proposed amendment to the Unified Development Code to allow ADUs. After hearing from seventeen speakers, and receiving over 100 written comments, the Commission voted 9-0 to recommend the proposal as presented by staff, with additional recommendations to Mayor and Council to develop programs to provide resources and technical support to make ADUs more affordable, and evaluate the program in 24 months. Watch a recording of the meeting here:

On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Unified Development Code to allow ADUs. Staff presented the draft proposal and an overview of the process to date for the Planning Commission to review and discuss. At that meeting, the Planning Commission voted 10-0 to continue the public hearing until Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 6 pm, to allow for the public to have additional opportunity to comment on the ADU proposal.

The following is a video recording of that meeting:

The meeting agenda and materials can be found on the Planning Commission webpage.

The presentation from that meeting may be found here(PDF, 5MB) .

Planning Commission Study Session on Accessory Dwelling Units

The City of Tucson Planning Commission held a study session on the proposed amendment to the Unified Development Code to allow ADUs on Wednesday, June 30 at 6 pm. Staff presented the draft proposal and an overview of the process to date for the Planning Commission to review and discuss. At that meeting, the Planning Commission voted 9-0 to set a date of Wednesday, July 28 at 6 pm, for a Public Hearing to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the ADU proposal.

The following is the video recording of that meeting:

The meeting agenda, & materials can be found on the Planning Commission webpage

The presentation from that meeting may be found here(PDF, 4MB).

Public Meetings: Accessory Dwelling Units Code Amendment Draft Proposal

What could these housing options mean for Tucson?

The City of Tucson Planning and Development Services Department recently held a series of virtual public meetings to share a proposed code change to allow backyard casitas (also known as Accessory Dwelling Units) in Tucson. Attendees heard how this housing option can provide affordable housing, help seniors age in place, and promote sustainable infill development.

Staff presented a draft proposal for new zoning regulations to permit this housing type. This proposal was developed based on what we heard at public meetings held earlier this year, and input from a stakeholder group representing a range of viewpoints and expertise. Participants had a chance to share feedback and hear from other community members.

Watch a recording of one of the meetings here:

Public Meetings to Gather Community Input

The first round of public meetings were held on February 24 and 25 for members of the public to learn more about how Accessory Dwelling Units can provide additional housing options in Tucson, how they are regulated today, and what changes are being considered in order to make this housing option more accessible. Participants also had a chance to share their thoughts and feedback. Additional meetings will be held later in the spring to share a draft proposal that will be developed based on the public input.

View meeting video

Background

On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, Mayor and Council directed Planning and Development Services to begin the process of amending the Unified Development code to define and permit Accessory Dwelling Units (aka casitas), identify the zones where they are appropriate and create development standards regulating unit size, height, minimum lot size, maximum lot coverage, setbacks, parking requirements and other relevant aspects in order to promote this affordable housing option in a manner that is compatible with existing neighborhoods. This process will involve extensive public outreach and engagement. Follow the process here to learn how to get involved.

View the presentation that was shared with Mayor and Council here(PDF, 273KB) .

Why are ADUs being considered in Tucson?

This proposed code amendment stems from and supports ongoing analysis and policy recommendations related to housing needs and sustainability goals in our community

  • The City of Tucson has been working with Pima County on a Housing Study to understand our local housing market and identify gaps in our housing stock. Initial findings show that over half of renter households and over 22% of homeowner households are housing cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of household income on housing costs (i.e. rent, mortgage, property tax, utilities). ADUs can often be an affordable housing option. As a smaller living space, the cost of renting an ADU can be lower than that of a larger apartment. Additionally, adding to the overall supply of housing across the city tends to promote stable rent levels.
  • On June 9, 2020, Mayor and Council directed staff to form a Commission on Equitable Housing and Development. This Commission has been tasked with providing advice to the Mayor and Council on topics such as: how the City can increase city investment in housing; how to preserve affordability while increasing housing production/ stock; and how to protect barrios and communities from rapid change and displacement.
  • On September 9, 2020, Mayor and Council adopted a Climate Emergency Declaration calling for carbon neutrality by 2030 and the development of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. ADUs can be an important tool to support compatible residential infill development. ADUs represent an efficient use of existing infrastructure by adding new housing in already developed areas. As a smaller footprint housing option, ADUs are typically energy efficient structures. Furthermore, these units are often developed in central neighborhoods with multi-modal transportation options. ADUs are an important means to retrofit our neighborhoods to be more climate-resilient.
  • The Age Friendly Tucson Action Plan was adopted by Mayor and Council in May 2019. Goals of this plan include providing affordable housing options for older adults and to facilitate older adults and people with disabilities aging in place. ADUs are a way to support these goals, as they can be an affordable option for seniors, and also support aging in place and aging in proximity to family and caregivers.

How are ADUs currently regulated in Tucson?

  • “Accessory dwelling unit” is not a defined term in the Unified Development Code (UDC). In fact, the code currently states that accessory structures within residential zones may not be a dwelling unit.
  • Accessory sleeping quarters/guest house are allowed, provided other regulations are met, however, a full kitchen in the unit is not permitted, as sleeping quarters are not intended to be a self-contained unit.
  • A second dwelling unit is allowed in certain districts, depending on the lot size and ability to meet other zoning regulations. Minimum lot size requirements and density regulations make it difficult to develop ADUs on most standard size lots in urban residential districts.

Past Public Meeting Materials

Meeting Type Presentation Meeting Notes Link to Video
Planning Commission Public Hearing - July 28, 2021 Click here(PDF, 5MB) Planning Commission Materials
Legal Action Report(PDF, 108KB)		 Meeting Video
Planning Commission Study Session - June 30, 2021 Click here(PDF, 4MB) Planning Commission Materials
Legal Action Report(PDF, 110KB)		 Meeting Video
2nd Public Meetings - May 19, 22, 24 & 25, 2021 Click here(PDF, 4MB) Meeting Summary(PDF, 456KB) Meeting Video
1st Public Meetings - February 24 & 25, 2021 Click here(PDF, 3MB) Meeting Summary(PDF, 330KB) Meeting Video

Press Related to the ADU project

Television:

Newspaper / Magazines

Radio

Reference Materials on ADUs

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