Reserved.

   A.   For the purpose of this chapter certain words and phrases shall have special meaning as defined herein, unless the context otherwise requires:

      1.   Alley: A secondary point of access to property which serves primarily as a way for utilities and sanitary services.

      2.   Assurances: A commitment in the form prescribed by Section 18.69.070, guaranteeing the construction and installation of all subdivision improvements.

      3.   Improvements:

         a.   Paved legal access to each individual subdivision lot, in conformance with Pima County paving standards; and

         b.   Electric service to the lot line of each individual subdivision lot: This shall not be required for commercial or industrial subdivision lots; however, a "backbone" electrical distribution conduit system, usable by all lots, shall be installed; and

         c.   Water service to the lot line of each individual subdivision lot; and

         d.   Sewer service to the lot line of each individual subdivision lot or legal access to a sewer not more than fifty feet from the lot line of each individual lot:

            1)   This shall not be required for subdivisions not served by sewers,

            2)   However, a statement indicating the absence of sewers shall appear on the final subdivision plat; and

         e.   Drainage and flood control facilities depicted on the subdivision plat or as required by ordinance or law; and

         f.   Any other construction, structure or installation specified on the plat and necessary to render the subdivision lots developable.

      4.   Major street: Such major street, highway, thoroughfare, parkway or boulevard so designated on the master plan and on the Major Streets and Scenic Routes Plan.

         a.   Major Streets and Scenic Routes Plan: When used shall mean the Pima County Major Streets and Scenic Routes Plan as provided in Section 18.77.040 Scenic Routes as amended.

         b.   Manual: When used shall mean the Subdivision and Development Street Standards Manual.

      5.   Master plan: The master plan or any part thereof adopted pursuant to A.R.S. Section 11-806, as amended.

      6.   Street: A way for vehicular traffic dedicated to the public or designated as subdivision common area which affords the principal means of access to abutting property.

      7.   Subdivided lands: See subdivision.

      8.   Subdivider: Any person who offers for sale or lease six or more lots, parcels or fractional interests in a subdivision or who causes land to be subdivided into a subdivision, or who undertakes to develop a subdivision.

      9.   Subdivision:

         a.   Improved or unimproved land or lands divided or proposed to be divided for the purpose of sale, lease, or for cemetery purposes, whether immediate or future, into six or more lots, parcels or fractional interests;

         b.   The following are not subdivisions for purposes of this chapter:

            1)   Division or proposed division of land located in Pima County into lots or parcels each of which is, or will be, thirty-six acres or more in area including to the centerline of dedicated roads or easements, if any, contiguous to the lot or parcel,

            2)   Leasing of agricultural lands, or of apartments, offices, stores, hotels, motels, or similar space within an apartment building, industrial building or commercial building except that horizontal property regimes as defined in A.R.S. Section 33-4.1 shall be included in this definition,

            3)   Subdivision into or development of parcels, plots or fractional portions within the original boundaries of a cemetery which has been formed and approved pursuant to this chapter, if such subdivision or development is not inconsistent with the original notice filed pursuant to A.R.S. Section 32-2181 and the original report prepared pursuant to A.R.S. Section 32-2183.

            4)   Division or proposed division of land for non-residential purposes provided that the lots created by the land division comply with the development standards for the zone.

      10.   Subdivision and Development Review Committee (SDRC): A committee comprised of representatives of county departments and agencies who regulate or are affected by development of land in Pima County who review a plat for compliance with the ordinances, rules, and regulations of their respective subject area.

(Ord. 2012-71 § 3, 2013; Ord. 2005-35 § 3 (part), 2005; Ord. 2003-16 § 1 (part), 2003; Ord. 1997-68 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1996-59 § 3, 1996; Ord. 1994-82 (part), 1994; Ord. 1990-1 § 1 (part), 1990; Ord. 1987-156 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1985-114 § 1, 1985; Ord. 1985-82 (part), 1985)

   A.   Approval of Subdivision Required. Until a tentative plat and a final plat of a subdivision shall have been approved in accordance with this chapter and the Subdivision Development and Street Standards Manual, no person proposing a subdivision within Pima County, outside the corporate limits of any city or town shall:

      1.   Subdivide or file a record of survey, map or plat for record; or

      2.   Sell any part of said subdivision; or

      3.   Proceed with any grading, construction or other work on the same, except as specified in Section 18.69.060G.

   B.   Lots. All lots shall be consistent with the zoning requirements.

   C.   Except as otherwise provided herein, a subdivider shall construct or install all required subdivision improvements or provide assurances for their installation as defined in Section 18.69.070 prior to the issuance of a building permit for any lot.

   D.   The board of supervisors delegate their approval authority of the subdivision plats and associated procedures as provided herein to the development services director or their designee. Once the subdivision plat has been approved by the development services director or their designee, the final plat shall be sent for signature by the chair of the board of supervisors for acceptance through the clerk of the board of supervisors.

(Ord. 2025-30 § 1, 2025; Ord. 2005-35 § 3 (part), 2005; Ord. 1997-68 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1985-82 (part), 1985)

   A.   Scope:

      1.   The performance and design standards of this section are general regulations.

   B.   Subdivision and Development Street Standards Manual:

      1.   A companion Subdivision and Development Street Standards Manual, hereinafter referred to as the "Manual" and incorporated herein by reference, includes specific street regulations of uniform application governing plats, development plans, and subdivisions of land within the County's area of jurisdiction and provides for the construction of roadway systems that can handle vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic safely and efficiently.

      2.   Regulations in the manual are in the form of minimum performance and design standards, guidelines for superior street performance, and procedures for implementing the requirements in the manual that includes modification and interpretation processes administered by the county engineer.

      3.   The Manual may be subsequently amended by a resolution of the Pima County board of supervisors, after a recommendation from the county engineer. The manual shall not be published as a part of the Pima County Zoning Code, but shall be published as a separate booklet, copies of which shall be available for inspection and purchase at the planning division public counter.

   C.   Streets.

      1.   The arrangements, character, extent, width, grade, and location of all streets shall conform to the master plan, and with due consideration to their relation to existing and other planned streets, to topographical conditions, to surface drainage in and through the subdivision, to public convenience and safety, and appropriate relation to the proposed uses of the land to be served by such streets.

      2.   Where not shown in the master plan, arrangements and other features of streets shall:

         a.   Provide for appropriate continuation of existing major streets in surrounding areas where essential for circulation and access to community facilities;

         b.   Conform to a plan for a neighborhood approved or adopted by the planning and zoning commission to meet a particular situation where topographical or other conditions make continuance or conformance to such principal streets impracticable;

         c.   Be so arranged as to provide pedestrian and bicycle linkages that contribute to safe routes or other similar pedestrian and bicycle oriented design, insofar as practicable;

         d.   Provide sufficient right-of-way for local service or access streets along major streets and routes, or other treatment to protect residential properties by separation of through and local traffic;

         e.   Along a railroad right-of-way or limited access highway right-of-way, provide a parallel street at a distance suitable for the appropriate use of the intervening land, such as for park purposes in residential districts or for commercial or industrial purposes in appropriate locations; such distances also to be determined with due regard for the requirements of approach grades and future grade separations;

         f.   Provide street right-of-way widths in compliance with adopted Pima County standard street cross-sections and provisions in the manual.

         g.   Avoid half streets, except where essential to the reasonable development of the subdivision in conformity with these standards and where dedication of the other half will be practicable when the adjoining property is subdivided. Wherever a half street is found adjacent to a tract to be subdivided, the other half shall be platted within such tract;

         h.   Conform with other performance and design standards and guidelines for streets in the manual.

   D.   Access to Major Arterial and Collector Highways. Access to major arterial and collector highways shall be in conformance with the requirements in the manual.

      1.   All residential subdivisions and commercial or industrial development should provide separate, legal, all-weather, paved access directly to the nearest arterial or collector highway, where practical. When joint access is utilized, access should minimize impacts to residential development.

      2.   Commercial and industrial developments shall not be allowed access through any residentially zoned area on residential collector or local streets, unless approved by the subdivision development review committee and provided that one or more of the following criteria are met:

         a.   Legal access has been previously established;

         b.   Implementation of this subsection would prohibit access to the public highway system;

         c.   Implementation of this subsection would cause a traffic hazard by overloading local streets or their connections to the arterial or collector highway system; or

         d.   Implementation of this subsection would prohibit sufficient pedestrian and bicycle linkages that contribute to safe routes or other similar pedestrian and bicycle oriented design.

   E.   Alleys.

      1.   Existing alleys shown on an approved plat shall not be used as the primary access to lots.

   F.   Easements.

      1.   Utility easements and aerial easements shall be provided where necessary, as determined and justified by:

         a.   The utility companies;

         b.   The planning and development services department;

         c.   The department of wastewater management; and

         d.   Other affected public agencies.

      2.   Drainage easements or rights-of-way shall be provided conforming substantially with the lines of any watercourse, drainageway, channel, or stream and such further width or construction or both as will be adequate for the purpose, and parallel streets or parkways may be required in connection therewith, as determined by the department of transportation and flood control district.

      3.   Hiking, bicycling and equestrian trails easements or rights-of-way shall be reserved on the plat:

         a.   When such trails are designated on the "Pima Regional Trail System Master Plan Map" or successor,

         b.   To provide pedestrian and bicycle access into and out of the subdivision in order to promote and provide safe routes, or

         c.   As may be required by the director of the natural resources, parks and recreation department, who may approve an alternative to the trail on the Pima Regional Trail System Master Plan Map or successor, or waive the trail requirement entirely if the director finds that:

            1)   There exist unusual topographical or other exceptional conditions which require relocation or deletion of a trail; or

            2)   Sufficient trails already exist in the area to provide adequate public trail access.

      4.   No portion of a subdivision lot shall be designated as an easement to be used as a street.

   G.   Street and lot layouts shall be determined with due regard to:

      1.   Provision of sites suitable to the type of use contemplated;

      2.   Zoning requirements as to lot size and dimensions;

      3.   Need for convenient access, circulation, control and safety of street traffic;

      4.   Limitations and opportunities of topography;

      5.   Circulation within the tract and access to community facilities. Subdivision streets should be laid out to allow and encourage bicycle and pedestrian access to adjacent schools and should minimize distances travelled. Subdivision and street layout should not direct bicycles and pedestrians to use adjacent major streets when shorter distances may be attained via alternative routes such as local streets, bicycle lanes or paths within and through the subdivision. Where cul-de-sac or dead end streets are planned they should provide for bicycle and pedestrian access to community facilities within or through the interior of subdivisions. The preferred location for safe routes is within public right-of-way; and

      6.   Street Lengths in conformance with the requirements and provisions in the Manual.

(Ord. 2011-1 § 3 (part), 2011; Ord. 2009-98 § 2 (part), 2009; Ord. 2005-35 § 3 (part), 2005; Ord. 1996-76 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1995-39 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1994-147 § 7, 1994; Ord. 1994-82 (part), 1994; Ord. 1990-1 § 1 (part), 1990; Ord. 1985-82 (part), 1985)

   A.   Tentative Plat Requirements and Related Exhibits.

      1.   Topographic Data. Existing conditions shall be shown on the tentative plat, including the following:

         a.   Boundary lines and approximate distances;

         b.   Easement with their dimensions and purpose;

         c.   Streets on and adjacent to the tract, name and right-of-way width thereof;

         d.   Utilities on the tract;

         e.   Other conditions on the tract. Water courses, houses, barns, shacks, walls, wells, tanks, and other significant features;

         f.   Other conditions adjacent to the tract affecting design of the subdivision, and subdivision names of adjoining plats; and

         g.   Contour map at an interval and accuracy acceptable to the department of transportation and flood control district.

      2.   Other Requirements. In addition to topographic data, the tentative plat shall be drawn at a scale at which all necessary details may be clearly shown, and shall show all proposals, including the following:

         a.   Name of the subdivision;

         b.   Legal description of the property to be subdivided;

         c.   Ownership;

         d.   Name of subdivider or developer;

         e.   Scale, north arrow;

         f.   Name of civil engineer or surveyor;

         g.   Date of plat;

         h.   Key map showing location of tract;

         i.   Proposed streets, alleys, other rights-of-way and easements, location, width, purpose and proposed street names;

         j.   Approximate lot lines and typical and minimum lot sizes;

         k.   Sites, if any to be reserved or dedicated for parks, playgrounds, or other public uses;

         l.   Building sites, if any, for multifamily dwellings, shopping centers, churches, industry or other uses;

         m.   Site data, including gross area of the subdivision, number of residential lots, approximate area in parks and other proposed nonresidential uses;

         n.   Existing and proposed zoning and boundaries thereof.

      3.   Grading Plan. A Type 2 grading plan shall be submitted and approved in accordance with Section 18.81.060 (Grading) prior to the issuance of grading permits.

   B.   Final Plat Requirements and Related Exhibits.

      1.   Final Plat.

         a.   A final plat shall be provided, drawn in ink on tracing cloth or mylar, on sheets twenty-four inches wide by thirty-six inches long and one-inch margin and an additional left margin of two inches, and shall be at a scale sufficient to show all details clearly.

         b.   Where necessary the plat may be on several sheets, in which case, each sheet shall be suitably indexed.

         c.   For large subdivisions, the final plat may be submitted for approval progressively in contiguous sections.

      2.   The final plat shall show the following:

         a.   Survey Requirements.

            1)   Primary control points or descriptions and ties to such control point, to which all dimensions, angles, bearings, and similar data on the plat shall be referred, and where a coordinate system shall have been established by the department of transportation and flood control, primary control points shall be referenced thereto,

            2)   At least one corner of a subdivision shall be tied by course and distance to a section corner, a quarter-section corner, or established city or county survey monument, and the plat must include a description of the corner marker, the final plat indicating how the bearings were determined;

         b.   Tract boundary lines, right-of-way lines of streets, easements and other rights-of-way, and property lines of residential lots and other sites; with accurate dimensions, bearings, or deflection angles and radii, arcs, semi-tangents and central angles of all curves;

         c.   Name and right-of-way width of each street or other right-of-way;

         d.   Locations, dimensions and purpose of any easements, fully described;

         e.   Identification of each lot or site by letter or number;

         f.   Purpose for which sites, other than residential lots, are dedicated;

         g.   Location and description of monuments, lot corners and other survey points in place;

         h.   Reference to recorded subdivision plats of adjoining platted land by record name, date, and book and page numbers;

         i.   Certification by a registered professional civil engineer or land surveyor to the effect that the plan represents a survey made or certified by same and that all the monuments shown thereon actually exist, and that their location, size and material are correctly shown;

         j.   Certification of title and statement by owner dedicating streets, alleys, easements, and other rights-of-way and any lands for public uses;

         k.   Title, scale, north arrow and date.

(Ord. 1994-137 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1986-187 § 1 (part), 1986; Ord. 1985-82 (part), 1985)

   A.   Preliminary Review.

      1.   Since agreement on the tentative plat is deemed a step of primary importance in these proceedings, the subdivider may request that the initial proposal for the subdivision be reviewed with the subdivision and development review committee (SDRC) prior to preparation of the required tentative plat while the plans for the proposed subdivision are still flexible. The purpose of this stage is to make available general advice on the purpose and effect of this chapter, the master plan, zoning, and other city and county planning, engineering, drainage, sewerage, water system and similar standards, requirements and plans.

   B.   Tentative Plat Submittal.

      1.   The subdivider shall prepare a tentative plat of the proposed subdivision and other exhibits in accordance with the requirements of Section 18.69.050(A) and the development services department's latest edition of the Procedures and Requirements for Subdivision Plats and Development Plans (subdivision checklist). The subdivider shall submit for distribution and review such items to the subdivision coordinator together with the appropriate fees.

   C.   Subdivision and Development Review Committee (SDRC) Review of Tentative Plat.

      1.   The subdivision coordinator shall transmit copies of the tentative plat submittal to the members of the SDRC and other agencies, such as the county health department, utilities, school or fire districts, or other political jurisdictions, whose review and comment is deemed appropriate by the SDRC.

      2.   The SDRC and other review agencies shall review the plat for matters within their jurisdiction and shall report their findings, in writing, to the subdivision coordinator who shall forward them to the subdivider. At the option of the subdivider, a meeting may be scheduled with the SDRC to discuss the review.

      3.   If a tentative plat conforms to the requirements of this chapter, and all other applicable state requirements and local ordinances and regulations, the subdivision coordinator shall send the subdivider notification of tentative plat conformity.

      4.   If the SDRC finds that the tentative plat does not conform to the requirements of this chapter, or any other applicable state requirements or local ordinances or regulations, the subdivision coordinator shall send the subdivider notification requesting revisions to the tentative plat. Except as provided in the Manual, if the subdivider disagrees with a decision by the SDRC as to the interpretation or applicability of any requirement, or there exists unnecessary hardship in conforming to any provision of this chapter, the subdivider may appeal the decision or request a modification of the regulations as provided in Section 18.69.060(E).

   D.   Reserved.

   E.   Appeals to and Modifications by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Except as provided in this section and the manual, the planning and zoning commission hereafter referred to as commission, shall hear and decide appeals from a decision of the SDRC and requests for modifications only after the department director responsible for the issue being appealed or the requested modification has issued a final decision on the matter.

      1.   Appeals to the Commission. Any written order, requirement, decision, grant or refusal of the SDRC made in the course of administrating or interpreting this chapter, or the development standards and specifications adopted pursuant to this chapter may be appealed to the commission as provided in Section 18.69.060(C)(4) except those interpretations and modifications described in Section 18.69.060(F) that are delegated to the county engineer or the chief building official.

         a.   Appeals must be filed within thirty days after the decision of the SDRC.

         b.   Appeals must clearly state the specific decision that is being appealed and the reason the appellant believes the decision is in error.

      2.   Modifications to the Commission. Except as provided in Section 18.69.060(F), the commission shall hear and decide all requests for modifications from the requirements of this chapter or the development standards and specifications adopted pursuant to this chapter.

         a.   The commission shall consider the following guidelines when approving or denying a modification request:

            1)   That because of unusual topographic conditions or other exceptional circumstances applicable to the property, such as the topography, size, shape, locations, or surroundings, the literal enforcement of the requirements of this chapter will result in an unnecessary hardship;

            2)   That the exceptional circumstances are not self-imposed;

            3)   That the modification is the minimum required to afford relief;

            4)   That the condition or situation for which the modification is sought is not of so typical or recurrent nature as to make reasonably practicable the formulation of a general regulation for such condition or modification.

         b.   In granting a modification, the commission may attach such conditions as to ensure that the modification does not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitations on similar subdivisions in the area, and as may be deemed advisable in the interest and furtherance of the purpose of this chapter.

         c.   Exceptions. The commission may not grant a modification from a requirement imposed by state or federal statute or regulation.

      3.   Application and Hearing. The following application and hearing procedures apply to an appeal of a decision of the SDRC or a modification request, or combination thereof, except as provided in section 18.69.060(F).

         a.   The application shall be in writing and shall be filed with the secretary of the commission.

            1)   An appeal shall state why the decision of the SDRC is in error and shall contain a concise explanation of all matters in dispute, and any pertinent maps, drawings, data or other information in support of the appeal.

            2)   A modification request shall state the specific code section from which the modification is requested and shall include pertinent maps, drawings, data, or other information why the modification should be granted.

            3)   Applications determined incomplete by the planning official or his designated representative, shall not be accepted and scheduled for hearing before the commission.

         b.   Hearing on the application shall be scheduled before the commission no more than thirty days from the date of the filing of the application.

   F.   Interpretations and Modifications by the County Engineer or the Chief Building Official. The county engineer shall decide interpretations or modifications of the manual's elements within the present or future street right-of-way, whether public or private, including areas outside the right-of-way that have a direct safety, capacity, or maintenance impact on the right-of-way. The chief building official shall decide interpretations or modifications of the manual's elements associated with development areas outside street right-of-way. In rendering interpretations and considering requests for modifications, the county engineer and chief building official may seek the assistance and recommendation of a subdivision and development street standards committee which shall be composed of six members, at least three of which shall be Pima County Department of Transportation employees and at least four of which shall be registered civil engineers. The criteria and the procedures for granting interpretations and approving requests for modifications shall be as provided Chapter 6 of the manual.

   G.   Time Limits. Approval of the tentative plat shall be effective for one year. A one-year time extension may be granted by the development services director if the applicant can show there were unforeseen circumstances beyond the applicant's control that warrant the granting of the time extension. Any new submittal shall meet current county standards.

   H.   Initiation of Grading and Improvements. Upon approval of the tentative plat, the subdivider may proceed with grading or street and utility improvements in accordance with such approval of the tentative plat and approved plans for the grading or improvements. A type 2 grading plan shall be submitted and reviewed in accordance with Section 18.81.060 prior to the issuance of grading permits.

   I.   Maintenance.

      1.   The subdivider, including contractors and any and all agents, shall be responsible for the keeping and maintenance in a clean and sanitary manner, of all the described platted area.

      2.   Said maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, the removal from the premises of all debris, rubbish, weeds and dust-producing materials.

   J.   Final Plat Submittal.

      1.   Before the transfer of title of any lots in a subdivision, the subdivider shall prepare a final plat for recording as provided in Section 18.69.050(B) and the county's subdivision checklist. The subdivider shall submit the plat with required documents and appropriate fees to the subdivision coordinator.

   K.   Final Plat Review and Approval. The procedure for approval of the final plat shall be the same as for approval of the tentative plat, provided that if the planning and development services director finds that the final plat conforms to the tentative plat as approved in accord with this chapter, the director shall so certify and transmit the final plat to the board of supervisors for final approval and recordation.

   L.   Assurances. As required by Section 18.69.070.

   M.   Final Plat Recordation.

      1.   Recordation. Upon board of supervisors' approval, the subdivision coordinator shall record the approved final plat in the office of the Pima County recorder.

      2.   Transmittal. The clerk shall cause prints on cloth thereof to be transmitted to, at the expense of the subdivider and to be advanced by said subdivider or agent, the following:

         a.   The county recorder;

         b.   The county assessor;

         c.   The department of transportation and flood control district;

         d.   The planning and development services director;

         e.   The city engineer, where the subdivision is within three miles of the corporate limits of the city of Tucson.

(Ord. 2016-18, § 3 (part), 2016; Ord. 2005-35 § 3 (part), 2005; Ord. 1997-68 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1986-187 § 1 (part), 1986; Ord. 1985-82 (part), 1985)

   A.   Scope. An agreement, which shall be recorded by the county, for appropriate improvement assurances shall be provided by the developer to assure the installation of all subdivision improvements prior to the recordation of any plat.

   B.   Term. Assurances shall specify the date by which the improvements shall be completed.

   C.   Beneficiary. Pima County shall be named as beneficiary of the assurance.

   D.   Exceptions.

      1.   No assurances shall be required for subdivisions which have had all required improvements completed in accordance with this chapter.

      2.   The subdivision plat shall have an assurances waiver block indicating that no assurances are required.

   E.   Posting of Assurances. The approved forms of assurances are as follows:

      1.   Cash or certified check;

      2.   Surety (performance) bonds executed by a company authorized and licensed to do business in the state of Arizona, ensuring the performance of the principal (developer or owner) as required by this chapter;

      3.   Certificate of deposit, United States Treasury Bills, or any security guaranteed by the United States Government, state of Arizona, or any political subdivision thereof;

      4.   A deposit of money or negotiable bonds, of the kind approved for securing deposits of public monies, with a responsible escrow agent or trust company authorized and licensed to do business in the state of Arizona;

      5.   An irrevocable letter of credit in favor of Pima County from a third-part financial institution authorized and licensed to do business in the state of Arizona;

      6.   The placement of the title to the subdivision in trust with a third-party escrow agency or trust company authorized and licensed to do business in the state of Arizona along with an agreement between the trustee and Pima County that title to any lot or parcel within the subdivision shall not be transferred until all improvements required by these regulations have been installed, accepted by Pima County, and written approval for release has been granted by Pima County to the escrow agency or trust company holding the property in trust. The agreement shall contain a condition authorizing Pima County to abandon the subdivision and resubdivide the property should the required improvements fail to be installed in compliance with Pima County's standard specifications;

      7.   A trust account in the name of Pima County in a bank or trust company authorized and licensed to do business in the state of Arizona. Periodic withdrawals may be made from the trust account for a progressive payment of installation costs by a trustee selected or approved by the county. The amount of such withdrawals shall be based upon progress work estimates and shall be approved by the county engineer and the trustee.

   F.   Board of supervisors' Approval. The approval of the board of supervisors shall be endorsed in writing on the plat and shall include specific identification of an approval of the assurances required by these regulations.

   G.   Substitute Assurances and Time Extensions.

      1.   Requests for substitute assurances or assurance agreement time extensions shall be submitted in writing to the subdivision coordinator for review by the department of transportation and flood control district and the wastewater management department.

      2.   These departments shall provide written recommendations within ten working days to the subdivision coordinator who shall forward the recommendations to the board of supervisors for final decision.

   H.   Release of Assurances.

      1.   Requests to release subdivision assurances shall be submitted in writing to the subdivision coordinator for review by the department of transportation and flood control district and the wastewater management department;

      2.   These departments shall provide written recommendations within ten working days to the subdivision coordinator, who shall forward them to the county manager for final decision.

(Ord. 1985-82 (part), 1985)

   Procedure.

   A.   The board of supervisors may waive any or all of the requirements of this chapter for any subdivision which is not subject to or which has received an order of exemption from the public report requirements administered by the Arizona Department of Real Estate. If an applicant for a subdivision waiver is in the process of applying for an order of exemption from the Arizona Department of Real Estate, the waiver may be granted subject to issuance of the order of exemption.

   B.   An application for waiver of county subdivision requirements shall be in the form provided by the county and shall be accompanied by the signatures of all parties having an interest in the property which is the subject of the waiver.

   C.   The waiver may be granted subject to such conditions as the board deems necessary to protect the public health, safety and general welfare.

(Ord. 1993-77 § 1, 1993)

   A.   Purpose.

      1.   The purpose of this section is to ensure that recreation areas are available for the use and enjoyment of subdivision residents.

      2.   To protect and enhance community health and quality of life.

      3.   To ensure that new recreation areas meet minimum standards for safety and efficacy.

      4.   To facilitate the implementation of the Eastern Pima County Trail System Master Plan and related features and enhancements.

      5.   To encourage residential multi-modal opportunities and ensure connectivity among parks, schools, neighborhoods and commercial areas.

   B.   Applicability. For every new subdivision created within the CB-1 or CB-2 zones or within any rural or residential zone, a new residential recreation area shall be created, or an existing recreation area shall be enhanced, or both. This ordinance shall not apply to resubdivisions of subdivisions existing as of the date of adoption hereof, unless the resubdivision is a subdivision of a block on a block plat not previously subdivided, or unless the resubdivision increases the density of the plat resubdivided.

   C.   General standards.

      1.   A subdivider shall submit a recreation area plan (RAP) and submittal fee with the tentative plat.

      2.   The RAP must include one of the following, and also shall provide safe route linkages within one-and-a-half miles of an existing or planned public elementary school or within two-and-a-half miles of an existing or planned middle school when reasonable linkage opportunities exist. A school shall be considered planned if it is programmed and has a dedicated funding source, or is required by a rezoning or specific plan:

         a.   Design of a public or private recreation area within the subdivision or adjacent to the subdivision, providing a minimum of eight hundred seventy-one square feet of developed recreation space per lot. The design shall depict all recreational improvements, including structures and facilities consistent with the recreation area design manual;

         b.   Proposal for dedication to the county of at least ten acres of land located within the region where the subdivision is located, along with a design for a public recreation area with the ten-acre site, depicting all recreational improvements, including structures and facilities consistent with the recreation area design manual;

         c.   Election to utilize the full in-lieu option if the subdivision has sixty-five lots or fewer or is located within 0.75 mile of an existing recreation area with sufficient capacity to accommodate the residents of the subdivision and calculation of in-lieu fee to be paid in the amount of one thousand five hundred dollars per lot for subdivisions of sixty-five lots or fewer. Fees will be adjusted annually to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on July 1 of each year with the one thousand five hundred dollars applying in base year 2004. Election to use the full in lieu fee does not relieve the subdivider of the obligation to provide for safe routes, under this subsection;

         d.   Proposal for dedication to the county of a parcel that is located within the region where the subdivision is located adjacent to a district or regional park, and is of a value equal or greater than the value of the standard requirements (park development and/or fee);

         e.   A combination of a design of a public or private recreation area within or adjacent to the subdivision along with a calculation of an in-lieu fee, based upon the residential recreation area matrix set forth in Table C.1. below.

Table C.1 
Residential Recreation Area Matrix 

 

   The above matrix is based on the following formula:
Divide the amount of square footage to be provided per lot for recreation park area by eight hundred seventy-one. The derived percentage will be multiplied by one thousand two hundred dollars to determine the in-lieu fee per lot.

      3.   Subdivisions of sixty-six lots or more, other than common wall townhouse or condominium projects, may elect to utilize the full in-lieu fee option only if such subdivisions are located within 0.75 mile of an existing recreation area with sufficient capacity to accommodate the residents of the subdivision. Otherwise, consistent with subsection (C)(2), such subdivisions shall provide a minimum of four hundred thirty-six square feet of developed recreation area per lot within the subdivision and the appropriate in-lieu fee, or shall dedicate and develop a ten-acre recreation area located within the region where the new subdivision is located and is of a value equal to or greater than the value of the standard requirements (park development and fee).

      4.   Subdivisions of sixty-five lots or fewer may utilize the full in-lieu fee option in accordance with the development services fee schedule.

      5.   The RAP must be approved by the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Department (PCNRPRD) as a condition of approval of the tentative plat. (See recreation area design manual for guidelines.)

      6.   The RAP must be implemented, as follows:

         a.   In-lieu fees, if any, shall be paid or assurances shall be provided prior to final plat approval;

         b.   Public recreation areas, if any, including not only recreation features, but also street paving, curbs, gutters, traffic control devices, landscaping, sidewalks, parking areas and utility connections must be constructed to Pima County standards, with inspections at thirty, sixty, ninety and one hundred percent completion stages to ensure compliance. In addition, as-built drawings shall be provided to Pima County upon completion of construction of public recreation areas;

         c.   The recreation area, if any, shall be constructed by the subdivider; and

         d.   Dedication of land outside the subdivision, if any, shall be recorded prior to the recording of the final plat.

      7.   The developer / property owner shall submit a safe routes to school plan, with documentation of a meeting with and review comments from the applicable school district with the tentative plat or development plan. The plan shall include a map(s) showing existing schools, existing roadways, current attendance boundaries, current bus routes, current pedestrian and bicycle routes to existing schools from residential neighborhoods, planned schools, planned roadways, and planned pedestrian and bicycle routes to existing and planned schools. The plan shall also address how the proposed project provides safe access to any affected schools. The proposed safe route may go along the perimeter of the proposed development provided that it provides safe and convenient access to the school and associated facilities.

   D.   Recreation area standards.

      1.   Recreation areas may include trails, trails within natural open space or shallow retention/detention basins, or other functional open space;

      2.   Recreation areas shall avoid known archeological and historical sites, and shall be designed and constructed in an environmentally-sensitive manner that minimizes the disturbance of the site's natural vegetation, and mitigates effects on adjacent upland areas, washes, wildlife corridors, and natural open space;

      3.   Recreation areas shall include appropriate structures and facilities to meet residents' recreational needs, such as areas for active sports and recreation, and passive recreation, and other active and passive design features constructed in accordance with the recreation area design manual.

      4.   Access to recreation areas must be provided for all subdivision residents; and

      5.   Bicycle racks and at least one paved, on-site parking space for automobiles at recreation areas must be provided for every twenty dwelling units, unless sufficient unobstructed on-street parking is available adjacent to the recreation area.

   E.   Integration of recreation areas with other county park and trail plans.

      1.   In the event the residential subdivision is adjacent to a trail identified on the Pima Regional Trail System Master Plan Map or successor or identified as a significant trail corridor by the PCNRPRD, the subdivider shall provide a connection to the trail from the subdivision's recreation area.

      2.   In the event a trail listed in the Pima Regional Trail System Master Plan Map or successor or identified as a significant trail corridor by the PCNRPRD passes through the residential subdivision, the subdivider shall construct the trail segment consistent with the standards manual of the Eastern Pima County Trail System Master Plan.

      3.   In the event the residential subdivision is adjacent to or includes a Pima County linear park, the subdivider shall provide a corridor at least one hundred feet wide to accommodate the park. The area of the park corridor, if dedicated to Pima County, shall be credited towards the required recreation area of the subdivision.

   F.   Private recreation areas.

      1.   Privately-owned recreation areas shall be constructed in accordance with the RAP and maintained by the private property owners of the subdivision. (See recreation area design manual for guidelines.)

   G.   Public recreation areas.

      1.   Pima County may accept dedication of a recreation area if it is at least ten acres in size and is adjacent to a public collector street.

      2.   Recreation areas constructed with the intent of transfer to Pima County shall be constructed to Pima County standards with plans being submitted to the PCNRPRD for review at thirty, sixty, ninety, and one hundred percent completion stages to ensure compliance. As-built drawings shall be provided at the completion of the recreation area.

      3.   The subdivider shall provide the recreation area with the following:

         a.   All street improvements and utility connections including, but not limited to, curbs, gutters, street paving, traffic control devices, landscaping, and sidewalks for land which is dedicated pursuant to this section;

         b.   Improved drainage through the recreation area; and

         c.   Other improvements essential to the acceptance of the land for recreation purposes, including the development of actual park recreation features and elements.

   H.   In-lieu fees.

      1.   In-lieu fees shall be paid to PCNRPRD prior to final plat approval or assurances shall be provided prior to final plat approval guaranteeing that fees will be paid to PCNRPRD at the time that subdivision assurances are released for the subdivision in question. Substitute assurances acceptable to the county may be provided in the case of a sale of an entire subdivision, or block on a block plat, or a bulk sale of a minimum of twenty lots within a subdivision to a subdivider or builder.

      2.   The in-lieu fees collected will be kept in a fund maintained by the PCNRPRD to be used for the acquisition of land, development of recreation facilities, planning for the future development of recreation areas and /or related expenses. The fees will be applied for use in the region in which the fees were generated for the acquisition of land, development of recreation facilities, or creation of plans for the future development of recreation areas.

      3.   The regions are identified as follows: Far West Region — west of Range 6E; Northeast Region — east of Range 13E and north of Township 14S; Southeast Region — east of Range 13E and south of Township 13S; Southwest Region — west of Range 14E to Range 5E, and south of Township 13S; Northwest Region — west of Range 14E to Range 5E and north of Township 14S. Each of the above described regions extends to the county boundaries.

(Ord. 2011-2 § 17, 2011; Ord. 2011-1 § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 2009-98 § 2 (part), 2009; Ord. 2004-88 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2003-16 § 1 (part), 2003)