PIMA COUNTY, AZ (Sept. 29, 2025)— Pima County’s 10-year comprehensive plan update, Pima Prospers 2025, is headed toward final action after more than two years of drafting, technical review, and community outreach. The Board of Supervisors opened the public hearing on September 16, 2025, then continued the item to October 14, 2025, to allow additional input before a vote. Residents and stakeholders can submit comments through October 14.
The comprehensive plan governs land use and growth in unincorporated Pima County, setting policy direction across housing, economic development, mobility, conservation, water, renewable energy, and climate resilience. The Board of Supervisors' Final Draft, posted for the September 16 hearing, consolidates updated goals, development guidelines, and the land-use map legend that will guide rezonings and capital priorities over the next decade, as required by state law.
County planners say the 2025 update addresses conditions that have changed since the last plan was adopted in 2015—specifically, housing supply and affordability, water resource stewardship, renewable energy siting, and transportation and safety needs. The draft draws on background reports prepared in collaboration with University of Arizona partners and refines growth-area policies to align infrastructure investments with the County's expected demand.
The process to date has included a preliminary public review draft, a 60-day state-mandated review, and a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission before consideration by the Board. With the hearing now extended to October 14, the Board signaled it wants one more window for public feedback before taking final action on the plan amendment (Case P23CA00001).
What’s Changed Since Pima Prospers 2015
Plan Structure
- 2015: Four broad elements (Land Use, Physical Infrastructure, Human Infrastructure, Economic Development).
- 2025: Streamlined into three sustainability-focused chapters (Built & Social Environment; Natural, Physical & Cultural Environment; Economic Environment).
Implementation
- 2015: 700+ action items, many tied to departments outside land-use authority.
- 2025: Fewer, more targeted actions tied directly to land use and growth management, reducing overreach.
Land Use & Mapping
- 2015: Multiple, detailed land use categories; static maps.
- 2025: Consolidated land use legend, residential density bonuses for infill/redevelopment, and interactive online maps with clickable policies.
Housing
- 2015: Growth-oriented, with moderate attention to housing demand.
- 2025: Strong focus on affordability and supply shortages; policies promote higher densities, infill, and varied housing types to address workforce needs.
Water & Climate
- 2015: Conservation and water supply management acknowledged.
- 2025: Elevated urgency around Colorado River cuts, drought, and climate uncertainty; policies for reclaimed water, resiliency, and climate adaptation.
Energy
- 2015: Energy noted within infrastructure planning.
- 2025: Explicit support for renewable energy siting, storage, and distributed generation.
Growth Outlook
- 2015: Expected faster population and development growth in unincorporated areas.
- 2025: Lower growth projections; cautious approach to infrastructure expansion.
Special Area Policies
- 2015: Dozens of parcel-specific rezoning policies carried forward from earlier plans.
- 2025: Some older policies repealed, with a few new targeted policies added.
How to comment
Members of the public can review the Board of Supervisors Final Draft and follow instructions for submitting comments on the County’s Pima Prospers 2025 webpage. Written comments received by the County on or before Monday, October 14, 2025, will be entered into the record for the continued hearing.
Once adopted, Pima Prospers 2025 will become the guiding framework for plan amendments and rezonings, inform capital planning and service delivery in unincorporated areas, and provide the policy basis for conserving natural and cultural resources while accommodating responsible growth. The County’s appendix outlines administration and amendment procedures once the plan is in effect.
Key dates:
- Sept. 16, 2025: Board opened public hearing on Pima Prospers 2025 (continued item).
- Oct. 14, 2025: Final day to submit public comments; continued hearing set for Board action.
The complete Pima Prospers 2025 Final Draft is here: Pima Prospers 2025 | Pima County, AZ
Comments on the Pima Prosper 2025 Board of Supervisors Final Draft should be submitted to the Pima County Clerk of the Board, [email protected], to be forwarded directly to the Board.