In this edition of 'News You Can Use' you will find:



• SAHBA Charity Golf Classic - Call for Volunteers
• BUILD-PAC Fundraiser
• Business Roundtable with Congressman Ciscomani
• Tech Committee Re-Cap
• Grading Slope Amendments
• County Expediting Plat Approvals
• Marana PIA Update
• Marana Plan Expiration Changes
• Impact Fee Changes
• ADU Update
• Members Step Up To Support Highschool Students
• RTANext on the Move
• City Ends Project Blue Negotiations
• BRE Meeting
• Remodeler's Council Speaker Announced
• Builder Roundtable with City of Tucson
• Special Tucson Lifestyle Advertising Discount for Members
• Industry News & Information
• New Members

FEATURED EVENTS

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! - SAHBA CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC

The SAHBA Charity Golf Classic, benefitting the Pete Herder Scholarship Fund, is SOLD OUT and set to go on Friday, September 12th at the Omni Tucson National Resort. We have 288 golfers participating and need all the help we can get! If you'd like to volunteer, click on the link below.

A special thank you goes out to our Title Sponsors:

• EPiX Interiors
• OakCraft
• Southwest Concrete.

BUILD-PAC FUNDRAISER

Helping to elect pro-builder candidates is an essential part of the advocacy role SAHBA performs on your behalf.

Join us for a reception to hear from SAHBA's Lobbyist Stan Barnes and raise money for NAHB BUILD-PAC to help make this possible.

Thursday, August 28 @ 4:30pm



Hacienda Del Sol

5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol Road

Tucson, AZ 85718

ADVOCACY

TECH COMMITTEE RECAP

At the August Tech Committee meeting, members received key updates from local jurisdictions along with utility companies. Presentations included Pima County’s Permit Gateway initiative, Marana’s revised Private Improvement Agreement, Pima County’s ADU Code Amendment, and Tucson’s Middle Housing Code Changes. Members also reviewed draft floodplain management updates from the City of Tucson. The committee continues to serve as a central hub where members can voice concerns, share solutions, and stay ahead of policy changes impacting our industry.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO GRADING SLOPE REQUIREMENTS

SAHBA recently testified before the Tucson - Pima County Joint Consolidated Code Committee (TPCJCC) in support of a proposed amendment reducing minimum grading slopes from 2% to 0.5% under defined conditions. Our comments highlighted how flatter slopes still align with standard construction practices, reduce unnecessary costs, and improve accessibility for homeowners while still ensuring drainage and safety. We also emphasized that this change supports housing affordability, Middle Housing and ADU goals, and reflects proven practices in both Tucson and Phoenix subdivisions. This advocacy is one more way SAHBA is pushing for sensible, cost-effective code updates that benefit both builders and buyers. You may view SAHBA’s formal comments here.

COUNTY ADVANCING MEASURE TO EXPEDITE PLAT APPROVALS

In a move supported by SAHBA, the Pima County Planning Division is advancing a text amendment to update how subdivision plats are approved. Currently, plats must go before the Board of Supervisors after Development Services has already reviewed them for compliance. Under the proposed change, the Board may delegate approval authority to the Development Services Department Director (or their designee), allowing for administrative approvals consistent with recent state law. This amendment would streamline the process, cut down on delays, and help reduce development timelines. Please send any comments directly to Brendan@sahba.org by Friday, August 29, 2025, so he can compile industry feedback to submit to the County by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Click here to view the Drafted Text Amendment.

MARANA PIA UPDATE

SAHBA has been closely engaged with the Town of Marana on their proposed Private Improvement Agreement (PIA). Through extensive member outreach, we identified provisions that created unnecessary costs, shifted liability onto the builders, or imposed requirements inconsistent with standard practice. Our formal comments emphasized clarifying responsibilities for Engineers of Record, removing excessive inspection mandates, and ensuring maintenance obligations end once improvements are accepted by the Town. These recommendations aim to protect our members while streamlining the development process. You may view SAHBA’s formal comments here.

MARANA UPDATES POLICY ON PLAN EXPIRATION AND ADDS NEW CHANGE REQUEST FORM



As part of its ongoing process improvements, the Town of Marana has updated its policy on the expiration of engineering plans and reports. The revised policy, Expiration of Engineering Plans and Reports, clarifies when approvals expire, and the Town has also added a new Engineering Field Change Request Form. These updates will be posted online, but we are sharing them now for your awareness. Please review the documents and reach out with any questions.

REMINDER - TUCSON AND PIMA COUNTY IMPACT FEE CHANGES

Tucson's revised development impact fees went into effect August 18, 2025, and will be phased in over three years at 80%, 90%, and 100% of the new rates. Residential fees will range from $3,906 to $12,869, reflecting a 40% increase. Pima County's updated fees begin October 1, 2025, with a five-year phase-in; single-family fees will rise from $8,523 to $11,654. A.R.S. § 9-463.05(F) provides timing protections for approved developments. Please review your projects accordingly and reach out with questions.

PIMA COUNTY ADU UPDATE

We recently hosted a productive stakeholder meeting with Pima County staff to discuss the upcoming accessory dwelling unit (ADU) code amendment, which must be adopted by January 1, 2026. With strong member participation, the meeting generated meaningful dialogue. In response, SAHBA shared policy recommendations that support flexibility, affordability, and practical implementation. The draft code amendment has just been released. We will review the draft and continue to provide formal comments. Members are encouraged to contact Brendan@sahba.org with input.

COMMUNITY BUILDING

RTA NEXT UPDATE

In good news, the RTA Board voted to advance a 20-year RTA plan for voter approval in March 2026. The Board will vote on the official version of the plan (and send the package to the Board of Supervisors) at the August 25^th meeting! The Board of Supervisors will be voting on September 2^nd to formally refer it to the ballot. Click here to read the Sentinel article for more details. Special thanks to Eric Schroeder for his remarks at Call to the Audience at the August 19 meeting. While not coordinated by SAHBA, other members who spoke were Alejandro Angel of PSOMAS and Sandi Garrick of Cottonwood Properties. 

PROJECT BLUE

In a set back for regional economic development, the Tucson City Council took action to end negotiations on Project Blue. While disappointing, we believe this will prompt a more pro-active discussion about our regional economic development objectives. This is an opportunity for us to define a vision for our economic future and what must be done to ensure we create a framework that allows existing businesses to flourish and is attractive to site-selectors and companies considering relocating to our community.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

BUSINESS REFERRAL EXCHANGE (BRE)

Join us to hear from our guest speaker, Michael Brasher from Life Unbound Coaching. Michael will break down habits and mental frameworks that drive consistent results - even when conditions are tough. Attendees will leave with practical tools to regain focus, rebuid momentum, and lead with purpose in uncertain times.

Tuesday, September 3 @ Noon



SAHBA Office

2840 N. Country Club Road

Tucson, AZ 85716

REMODELER'S COUNCIL LUNCH & LEARN

Join us for an informative presentation from Lowe's Pro to share with members on the exclusive benefits they offer SAHBA members. These benefits will help members save money!

Wednesday, September 3 @ Noon



SAHBA Office

2840 N. Country Club Road

Tucson, AZ 85716

BUILDER ROUNDTABLE WITH CITY OF TUCSON BUILDING OFFICIALS

Don’t miss our upcoming Builder Roundtable with the City of Tucson. This event is an opportunity for members to engage directly with Chief Building Officials, share feedback, and discuss key issues shaping residential construction in Tucson. 

Wednesday, September 10 @ 8:30am



SAHBA

2840 N. Country Club Rd.

Tucson, AZ 85716

PAC Fundraiser - Thursday, August 28, 4:40pm at Hacienda del Sol

Business Referral Exchange - September 2, 7:30a at SAHBA

Remodeler's Council - September 3, Noon at SAHBA

Builder Roundtable - September 10, 8:30a at SAHBA

Tech Committee - Tuesday, September 16, 3:30p at SAHBA

MEMBER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISCOUNTED ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS!

Tucson Lifestyle will be featuring their annual "housing issue" in the October edition. As in the past, Tucson Lifestyle is offering SAHBA members a discounted price to buy ads Members can click here to take advantage of that opportunity to promote their businesses. We are grateful to Tucson Lifestyle for their partnership.

• New and Existing Homes Remain Largely Unaffordable in Second Quarter - The NAHB/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI) results from the second quarter show that a family earning the nation's median income needs 36% of its income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced new home. Read more.

• Gas Bans Impact Housing Affordability as Electric Rates Soar - According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential electricity prices in America are up 4.3% in 2025 and projected to continue escalating in 2026. When government enacts measures to ban natural gas - forcing consumers to a higher priced fuel source - it makes homeownership less affordable. Read more.

• Core Inflation Accelerates Amid Tariff Pressure - In July, core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy, picked up its largest monthly increase since January. Read more.

• Hard working Arizona families are struggling with rising housing costs - Legislators have noticed and are taking action. In the last few legislative sessions, several housing bills were introduced to address affordability concerns. One measure, HB 2721 signed into law in 2024, sought to legalize the "missing middle" housing products throughout Arizona by reforming local zoning. Read more

• Members See Big Savings with New Discounts from NAHB - Did you know SAHBA members have access to a Member Savings Program that helps them cut business costs or make smarter personal purchases? Participating companies offering an exclusive discount for SAHBA/NAHB members include: Ford Pro, Ram, Lowe's Pro and more. Read more.

NEW MEMBERS

• Sherwin Williams Paint Company
• Lowes
• Rhino Roll Offs
• Timberlake Cabinetry
• Starlight Homes Arizona
• Horizon Millwork Solutions
• Starbuck Graphics, Inc.
• C&S Sweeping Services, Inc.
• Secure Sight
• Independence Painting, LLC.
• My Iron Door Company, LLC.
• Boehme Lines, LLC.
• Hardacker Roofing
• Chas Roberts AC and Plumbing
• Sal Sal Media