Tucson Approves Development Review Fee Increase for Planning & Development Services

TUCSON, AZ (JULY 1, 2024) — On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, City of Tucson Mayor and Council adopted Planning and Development Services (PDSD) development review fee increases. The changes will go into effect today, Monday, July 1, 2024.

The development review fee increases affect PDSD, the Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM), and Tucson Fire. The fee increase is generally 3.5% in FY2025 and 3.5% in FY2026.

For PDSD, the fees for services include staff review and building permits for all new development, site review, including floodplain and grading permits, signs, historic review, special district review, rezonings, and special exceptions.

For DTM, the fees for services include: right-of-way (ROW) permitting and staff review, small wireless facility fees, annual utility permits, annual scooter fees, and other related permits.

For Tucson Fire, the fees for services include: fire construction permit fees, fire review fees, automatic extinguishing systems, fire alarm systems, above-ground and underground storage tanks, other fire construction permits, fire operational permits, state-licensed facility operational permits, special event operational permits, and fire code appeals.

On April 9, 2024, the City of Tucson Mayor and Council gave notice of intention to revise development rates and fees for Planning and Development Services (PDSD) customers. PDSD conducted outreach to development stakeholders and the community to gather feedback regarding the proposed fee increase.

Additionally, PDSD will be adjusting valuation tables. Staff have been reviewing and determining the impact of updating to the latest ICC Valuation Tables, in conjunction with the proposed fee increase. The department has chosen to phase in the adjustments over a three-year period, aiming to align with the latest ICC Valuation Table by 2027. These changes are made at the discretion of the Director and do not require approval from Mayor and Council.

The table below shows sample projects and examples of fee and valuation table adjustments.

Development impact fees are not included in this increase.

These fee adjustments will enable PDSD to make significant progress in its commitment to improving the development process in the City of Tucson, ensuring better support and service for the community’s needs.

Department Contacts:  Koren Manning, Deputy Director, koren.manning@tucsonaz.gov; Lynne Birkinbine, Deputy Director, lynne.birkinbine@tucsonaz.gov