A.   Purpose:

      1.   This chapter describes the responsibilities, powers and duties exercised by the principal officers and agencies involved in the planning, zoning and subdivision of land within Pima County;

      2.   The specific procedures by which these responsibilities, powers and duties are exercised are found within the applicable chapters of this code and in adopted written policies.

(Ord. 1985-188 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Scope: As a legislative body, the board of supervisors performs the planning and zoning actions of this section, as authorized by A.R.S. Title 11, Chapter 6.

   B.   Powers and duties:

      1.   Comprehensive plan: Upon recommendation by the planning and zoning commission, the board of supervisors adopt and amend a comprehensive plan, which establishes the goals of Pima County regarding future development of the county, in accordance with Chapter 18.89 (Comprehensive Plans);

      2.   Zoning regulations and districts: By ordinance, the board of supervisors establish and amend the zoning regulations of this code in accordance with Section 18.01.070 (General Provisions), and provide for zoning district changes and amendments in accordance with Chapter 18.91 (Rezoning Procedures);

      3.   Land use policies: The board of supervisors adopt, by resolution, policies relating to land use issues and review procedures;

      4.   Subdivision and development plan regulations: The board of supervisors adopt, by ordinance, regulations for the subdivision of land within the county (refer to Chapter 18.69, Subdivision Standards) and for development plans, which establish the features of a development (refer to Chapter 18.71, Development Plan Standards);

      5.   Appeals and special permits: The board of supervisors hear and decide appeals and special permits to developmental or procedural requirements, when authorized by this code;

      6.   Enforcement: The board of supervisors establish, by ordinance, rules and procedures for the enforcement of this code by the zoning inspector;

      7.   Appointments: The board of supervisors appoint or ratify the members of the following boards, commissions and committees:

         a.   Planning and zoning commission,

         b.   Boards of adjustment,

         c.   Historical commission,

         d.   Historic district zone advisory boards,

         e.   Design review committee,

         f.   Other committees, as necessary.

   C.   Clerk of the board of supervisors: The clerk of the board is responsible for:

      1.   Preparing all minutes of supervisors' meetings;

      2.   Maintaining a file of documents relating to functions of the supervisors;

      3.   The sale of copies of the zoning code.

(Ord. 2025-4, 2025: Ord. 1992-96 § 1 (part), 1992; Ord. 1985-188 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Scope: The planning and zoning commission primarily advises the board of supervisors on planning and zoning policies, plans, amendments and regulations, as authorized by A.R.S. Title 11, Chapter 6.

   B.   Powers and duties: The planning and zoning commission performs the following duties:

      1.   Comprehensive plan:

         a.   The planning and zoning commission initiates and recommends to the board of supervisors a comprehensive plan, which establishes the goals of Pima County regarding future development of the county, in accordance with Chapter 18.89 (Comprehensive Plan),

         b.   The planning and zoning commission reviews and provides recommendations to the board of supervisors on all amendments to the comprehensive plan, including concurrent plan amendments/rezonings, permitted by Section 18.89.041;

      2.   Zoning code amendments: The planning and zoning commission initiates and provides recommendations to the board of supervisors on amendments to this code, in accordance with Section 18.01.070 (Code Amendment Procedures);

      3.   Specific plans: The planning and zoning commission provides recommendations to the supervisors on a proposed specific plan;

      4.   Rezoning: The planning and zoning commission provides recommendations to the board of supervisors on a proposed rezoning, with the exception of rezonings that conform to a zoning plan, in accordance with Chapter 18.91 (Rezoning Procedures);

      5.   Historic zones:

         a.   The planning and zoning commission initiates the designation of property as a historic district zone or a historic landmark zone upon the recommendation of the Pima County plans review subcommittee of the historical commission (refer to Section 18.63.050),

         b.   The planning and zoning commission provides recommendations to the board of supervisors on a proposed historic district zone or a historic landmark zone, the associated preservation and development criteria, and historic district advisory board, as applicable,

      6.   Infill overlay zones:

         a.   The commission initiates the designation of property as an infill overlay zone (refer to Section 18.68.030); and,

         b.   The commission provides recommendations to the supervisors on a proposed infill overlay zone and the associated development standards and incentives, as applicable,

      7.   Subdivision and development plan regulations:

         a.   The planning and zoning commission hears appeals from the subdivision and development review committee, in accordance with Chapter 18.69 (Subdivision Standards),

         b.   The planning and zoning commission reviews development plans for RVC zoning in accordance with Section 18.71.060 (Requirements and procedures for RVC zoning);

      8.   Other matters: The planning and zoning commission may initiate or conduct special studies relating to planning and zoning matters, and may consider requests for the same from the board of supervisors.

   C.   Composition: The commission comprises ten members, as follows:

      1.   Appointment: Two members shall be appointed from each of the five supervisorial districts of the county by the supervisor representing the district, and the members shall be residents of the district from which they are appointed;

      2.   Terms: Appointments are for staggered terms of four years each, with no limit on the number of terms;

      3. Vacancies: Vacancies shall be filled within a reasonable time period by the supervisor of the district in which the vacancy has occurred, for the unexpired term of that position;

      4. Removal: The supervisor of a district has the authority to remove a commissioner from that district for neglect of duty, inefficiency, or misconduct in office.

   D. Transaction of Business:

      1. The commission shall conduct its business in accordance with the Arizona Revised Statutes, applicable Pima County regulations, and its own adopted rules and regulations;

      2. The director of the planning and development services department shall be the executive secretary of the commission.

   E. Effect of decisions: All commission recommendations, final actions and findings of decisions will be transmitted to the supervisors, regardless of vote.

(Ord. 2025-4, 2025: Ord. 2018-31 § 3, 2018; Ord. 2018-9 § 3, 2018; Ord. 2010-27 § 1 (part), 2010; Ord. 2007-65 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1992-96 § 1 (part), 1992; Ord. 1987-64 § 1 (part), 1987; Ord. 1985-188 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Scope: The planning and development services department is the lead agency for the administration of this code and serves as the lead professional staff of the planning and zoning commission.

   B.   Powers and duties of the planning director: The planning director, with the applicable staff, performs the following duties:

      1.   Supervision: The director supervises the various divisions of the department;

      2.   Rezoning and specific plan compliance with the comprehensive plan. The director determines rezoning and specific plan compliance with the comprehensive plan;

      3.   Plans and regulations: The director develops and maintains the comprehensive plan and the land use plans, policies and regulations for its implementation;

      4.   Specific plans: The director administers and provides recommendations to the commission on specific plan applications and coordinates the administration of adopted specific plans by other county departments and public agencies;

      5.   Rezoning: The director administers and provides recommendations to the commission on the rezoning of property;

      6.   Subdivision and development plan regulations: The director reviews and coordinates the processing of subdivision plats in accordance with Chapter 18.69 (Subdivision Standards);

      7.   Boards, commissions and committees: The director provides administrative assistance to the planning or zoning bodies appointed by the board of supervisors (refer to Section 18.101.020(B)(8));

      8.   Other duties:

         a.   The director acts as the executive secretary of the commission and, by representation, executive secretary of the boards of adjustment;

         b.   The director performs such other functions as may be necessary in the administration of the department or as provided by the county manager.

   C.   Powers and duties of the chief zoning inspector: The chief zoning inspector reports to the planning and development services director and, by authority of A.R.S. § 11-808, performs the following duties:

      1.   Compliance review: The inspector reviews all permits for the use or improvement of property prior to issuance by the county, in order to determine if the proposed activity will be in compliance with this code;

      2.   Conditional uses: The inspector acts as the hearing administrator for conditional uses, in accordance with Chapter 18.97 (Conditional Use Permits);

      3.   Interpretation: The inspector interprets the provisions of this code;

      4.   Enforcement: The inspector enforces the provisions of this code by all means prescribed by law.

(Ord. 1992-96 § 1 (part), 1992; Ord. 1987-64 § 1 (part), 1987; Ord. 1985-188 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Scope: The boards of adjustment hear and decide appeals for variances and interpretations of this code and issue temporary use permits, in accordance with A.R.S. § 11-807 and Chapter 18.93 (Board of Adjustment Variances, Temporary Use Permits and Interpretations).

      1.   Interpretation: The boards interpret this code on appeal when:

         a.   There is a dispute between the appellant and the zoning inspector of the other county official as to a decision or interpretation, or

         b.   The location of a zoning district in doubt (refer to Section 18.05.030, Zones, Maps and Boundaries);

      2.   Variances: The boards may allow variances from a provision of this code in accordance with Section 18.93.030 (Board of Adjustment Variances, Temporary Use Permits and Interpretations);

      3.   Temporary use permits: The board may issue a temporary use permit in accordance with Section 18.93.040, (Board of Adjustment Variances, Temporary Use Permits and Interpretations);

      4.   Other duties: The applicable boards shall also act as the airport zoning board of adjustment in accordance with A.R.S. § 2-328.

   [B. Reserved.]

   C.   Composition:

      1.   Appointment:

         a.   There is one board in each of the supervisorial districts of Pima County,

         b.   Five members shall be appointed for each board. Each member shall be a resident and taxpayer of the supervisorial district from which appointed,

         c.   Appointments to the boards shall be made by majority vote of the board of supervisors;

      2.   Terms: Appointments shall be for staggered terms of four years each, except that the initial members shall be appointed, by lot, for the following terms:

         a.   One member for one year,

         b.   One member for two years,

         c.   One member for three years, and

         d.   Two members for four years;

      3.   Vacancies: Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired period of that term within a reasonable time period, as provided for appointments;

      4.   Removal: The board of supervisors has the authority to remove, by majority vote, any member for neglect of duty, inefficiency or misconduct in office.

   D.   Transaction of business:

      1.   Each board shall conduct its business in accordance with the Arizona Revised Statutes, applicable Pima County regulations, and its own adopted rules and regulations;

      2.   The planning director or a representative from the planning and zoning division shall be the executive secretary of each board.

(Ord. 2007-34 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1985-188 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Scope: The hearing officer hears and decides zoning violation appeals, as authorized by A.R.S. § 11-808(E).

   B.   Powers and duties: The officer performs the following duties (refer also to Section 18.95.030, Compliance and Enforcement):

      1.   The officer hears and decides complaints alleging civil violations of this code;

      2.   The officer administers oaths;

      3.   The officer issues subpoenas and summonses ordering appearance before the officer;

      4.   The officer makes any other order necessary for the determination and resolution of zoning violations.

   C.   Establishment:

      1.   Appointment: The officer shall be appointed by the board of supervisors;

      2.   Qualifications:

         a.   The officer shall have training, experience or familiarity with administrative hearings and this code,

         b.   The officer may be an employee of Pima County, except that the officer shall not be a zoning inspector;

      3.   Annual review: The board of supervisors shall conduct an annual review of the hearing officer;

      4.   Removal: The board of supervisors has the authority to remove the officer, by majority vote, for neglect of duty, inefficiency or misconduct in office.

   D.   Transaction of business: The officer shall follow the procedures set forth in the zoning enforcement rules of procedures, as adopted and amended in accordance with Section 18.01.070 (General Provisions).

(Ord. 1985-188 § 1 (part), 1985)

   A.   Purpose: Pima County is a Certified Local Government (CLG) in historic preservation. Pima County, the City of Tucson, also a CLG, and the City of South Tucson have entered into an intergovernmental agreement to establish a joint Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission to preserve and protect the historic character of the community by advising the respective governing bodies concerning various existing historic districts, buildings, structures, sites, human-created, or -designed landscapes or spaces in the community, and to recommend which properties merit historic designation. This section applies solely to the Pima County jurisdiction of the historical commission.

      1.   The purpose of this section is to implement the requirements of Chapter 18.63 (Historic Zone) for properties within Pima County's jurisdiction. The review provided by the historical commission is intended to ensure:

         a.   Accomplishment of other goals for specific types of development, as described in Section 18.63.010 (Historic Zone; Purpose and Intent).

   B.   Establishment. The historical commission is established by the adoption of this chapter.

   C.   References: The historical commission shall refer to the criteria established in the Certification of Local Governments. National Historic Preservation Act, P.L. No. 89-665, as amended; 54 U.S.C. §§ 300101, 302501-302505; and 36 C.F.R. § 61.6(e).

   D.   Composition: The historical commission membership includes ten members appointed by the board of supervisors as follows:

      1.   Five members, one appointed by each supervisor of the board of supervisors.

      2.   Five members, appointed by a majority vote of the board of supervisors, who are qualified professionals consisting of:

         a.   One architect;

         b.   One archaeologist;

         c.   One landscape architect or historic preservation planner;

         d.   One architectural historian; and

         e.   One person experienced in historic residential and commercial property development.

      3.   The historical commission may, by vote, appoint up to two ex-officio members to serve in an advisory capacity. Ex-officio members shall not have voting rights but may participate in discussions and provide guidance on matters within the commission's jurisdiction. Ex-officio members are not subject to term requirements as described in 18.101.070E.

   E.   Terms.

      1.   Terms of members shall be coterminous with the terms of office of the supervisor who appointed them, or until their successor is appointed;

      2.   Members may be removed with or without cause prior to the expiration of their term by the supervisor who appointed them or by the supervisor's successor in office;

      3.   Members shall be eligible for reappointment; but in no event may any individual serve more than a total of eight continuous years. Once a member has served eight years, he or she may not be reappointed until after a break in service of at least one continuous year. If the historical commission is dissolved and reconstituted, time previously spent in service shall count towards the eight-year limitation.

      4.   The terms of all members appointed prior to December 30, 2024, shall be considered to have an effective term date starting on January 1, 2025 for the purpose of this subsection. All members will be subject to an eight-year continuous service limitation, regardless of prior service.

      5.   A member who misses four consecutive meetings for any reason or who fails to attend for any reason at least forty percent of the meetings called in a calendar year is automatically and immediately removed as a member of the historical commission.

      6.   No Pima County employee may serve on the historical commission except in a nonvoting, ex-officio capacity.

      7.   Should an appointing supervisor fail to appoint a member within thirty days after the expiration of the term of the member or thirty days after a vacancy occurs, the appointment may be made by the board of supervisors.

      8.   Prior to the expiration of the term of members, or within thirty days after a vacancy occurs, the appointing supervisor may request an extension of time from the board of supervisors to make the appointment.

   F.   Meetings: The historical commission shall hold meetings monthly or as needed, for a minimum of six meetings per year. All meetings shall be publicly noticed.

   G.   Pima County Plans Review Subcommittee

      1.   Purpose. The purpose of this section is to implement the requirements of Chapter 18.63 (Historic Zone) in reviews of historic zone and historic landmark zone requests on properties within unincorporated Pima County.

      2.   Composition. The board of supervisors shall appoint at least three County-appointed members of the historical commission to the Pima County plans review subcommittee. The three members must be among the five appointed members of the historical commission who are qualified professionals, as identified in this code.

      3.   Terms. Members of the Pima County plans review subcommittee shall serve four-year terms; a maximum of two such terms may be served on this subcommittee of the historical commission.

      4.   Meetings. The plans review subcommittee shall hold meetings monthly or as needed, for a minimum of six meetings per year.

      5.   Powers and Responsibility:

         a.   Historic district zone: The Pima County plans review subcommittee of the historical commission shall review and recommend to the planning and zoning commission the establishment of historic district zones and historic landmark zones on properties located within unincorporated Pima County.

         b.   Historic zone development: The Pima County plans review subcommittee of the historical commission shall review all development proposals in historic district zones and historic landmark zones on properties within unincorporated Pima County, and make recommendations to approve, approve with conditions, or deny plans for such development; and, staff shall include the Pima County plans review subcommittee of the historical commission's recommendations in their staff report to the planning and zoning commission. The historical commission's review may include:

            1)   Amenity landscaping; and

            2)   Landmark signs for exemption from sign code requirements in Section 18.79.060F. (Landmark Sign).

            3)   Fees: Fees for review shall be charged in accordance with the adopted fees schedule.

   H.   Appeal of Pima County plans review subcommittee of the Historical Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission Decisions:

      1.   The decision of the Pima County plans review subcommittee of the historical commission and the planning and zoning commission may be appealed to the board of supervisors within thirty days of the planning and zoning commission decision by:

         a.   The applicant; or

         b.   Any real property owner within the historic district zone or landmark zone.

      2.   The board of supervisors shall uphold or reverse the Pima County plans review subcommittee of the historical commission and the planning and zoning commission decisions, and may add, subtract, or modify conditions of the design plan approval.

(Ord. 2025-4, 2025)