|
In this edition of 'News You Can Use' you will find:
- Holiday Open House Recap
- 2026 Board of Directors
- Board Installation Luncheon
- Middle Housing Update
- PAC Update
- ADU Update
- Changes to Plat Approval Process
- Tucson Adopts IECC
- Code Updates
- Pavement Preservation In-Lieu Fee Moves Forward
- $20K to Herder Scholarship Fund
- Godlewski Tapped for County Advisory Board
- Upcoming Meetings
- Radar Tapped as Young Gun
- New Members
| | HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE BRINGS OUT THE BEST! | | Once again SAHBA members prove we have the best membership in all of Tucson! Well over 100 members joined us to celebrate the holidays and support SAHBA's efforts to raise money and collect donations for local charities. When we put out the call for action, SAHBA members are quick to show up and show out. Over $2,500 worth of clothing, toys, toiletries and donations were collected for Utterback Middle School! Plus hundreds of pounds of food was collected for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. | | | | |
Installation Luncheon
Seats are filling up, so don't delay and RSVP today!
Please join us as we inaugurate the 2026 Board of Directors, celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, and look ahead to the opportunities of the year ahead.
Friday, January 23, 2026
Jewish Community Center
Registration: 11:30 | Lunch: Noon
| | |
MIDDLE HOUSING CODE AMENDMENT APPROVED - CITY OF TUCSON
Mayor and Council approved Tucson’s Middle Housing Code Amendment by a 6–1 vote, expanding middle housing options across most of the city, with changes taking effect January 1, 2026. Through sustained advocacy, SAHBA played a role in encouraging Mayor and Council to adopt the amendment on a near-citywide basis, significantly expanding where middle housing will be allowed. While landscaping requirements remain for custom single-family residences, SAHBA secured an exemption for single-family homes within new subdivisions of five or more units.
|
PAC UPDATE
The SAHBA-PAC has been actively raising money to support pro-home building legislative candidates ahead of the 2026 session. As we look on the horizon, the elections next year will have a major impact on home building. Issues like water, infrastructure financing and zoning reform will be key. The PAC is planning to actively support candidates who understand the importance of building safe, affordable and high-quality homes. We are committed to ensuring the SAHBA-PAC "Has Your 6 in '26." Please consider making a donation today. If you have any questions, please contact David Godlewski at david@sahba.org.
| | |
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT UPDATE - PIMA COUNTY
The Pima County Board of Supervisors adopted a Zoning Code Text Amendment updating regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The amendment removes the site-built requirement, allowing manufactured and modular homes where those housing types are already permitted, and increases the maximum size of attached ADUs to match detached units. SAHBA supported these changes and is monitoring implementation.
| |
PLAT REQUIREMENTS UPDATE - PIMA COUNTY &TOWN OF SAHUARITA
The Pima County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2025-30, modernizing plat requirements and authorizing the Development Services Department Director to approve final plats and assurances. SAHBA submitted comments in support of the County’s ordinance and also provided supportive feedback on the Town of Sahuarita’s proposed plat updates. Engagement with both jurisdictions reflects continued coordination on plat modernization efforts.
| | |
UPDATE: TUCSON ADOPTS 2024 IECC
For months, SAHBA has been engaged in the stakeholder process reviewing and commenting on the 2024 International Codes. SAHBA advocated for the City to forgo adoption of the 2024 International Energy Code along with Oro Valley, Marana and Sahuarita. Despite this effort - and offering two amendments to mitigate cost impacts without sacrificing energy efficiency - the Council voted unanimously to adopt the IECC which goes into effect July 1, 2024.
| | |
MORE BUILDING CODE UPDATES
Pima County adopted Ordinance 2025-15, updating to the 2024 building code cycle effective January 1, 2026, requiring building permits initiated after December 2025 to comply with the 2024 codes.
- To reduce impacts on projects already in the pipeline, the County will continue allowing site permits to be pulled from model plan approvals designed under the 2018 codes, with model plan expirations unchanged for 2025 and 2026 and expirations in 2027 or 2028 adjusted to 2026.
- Members should review the expiration schedule and contact staff if a subdivision has only a few remaining lots and a model plan approval is nearing expiration.
City of Tucson will allow existing model plans to be renewed under the 2018 International Residential Code if renewal applications are submitted on or before December 30, 2026.
- Renewals require updated construction valuation, may result in slightly higher fees, and will reset expiration dates to December 2026.
- Applications under the 2018 code cycle expire after 180 days, and no model copies may be issued until all fees are paid and conditions are satisfied.
The Town of Sahuarita is in the process of reviewing and preparing the 2024 International Building Code suite and the 2023 National Electrical Code for adoption with local amendments. Final drafts of proposed local amendments have been prepared and are undergoing review. They are also available for stakeholder feedback. Please review the final review drafts linked below and provide any feedback to Andrew Parkin, Acting Building Safety Manager, at aparkin@sahuaritaaz.gov or (520) 822-8867 or David Godlewski at SAHBA at david@sahba.org.
| | |
COUNTY INITIATES CODE TEXT AMENDMENT TO ALLOW FOR FEES IN-LIEU OF STREET TREATMENTS
The Planning & Zoning Commission has initiated a proposed amendment that would establish provisions for the preservation of public streets through an in-lieu fee paid by subdividers. This fee would replace the requirement for subdividers to perform the preservation work themselves and the application of the preservation treatments would be administered by Pima County. The item will be on the January P&Z agenda for a vote.
| |
ANOTHER $20K FOR CONSTRUCTION SCHOLARSHIPS
Recently SAHBA was able to contribute $20,000 from the proceeds raised at the Charity Golf Classic to the Peter D. Herder Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund supports students at Pima Community College pursuing a career in the construction trades.
| | | |
GODLEWSKI TAPPED AS CLR VICE CHAIR
SAHBA President & CEO, David Godlewski, has been elected Vice-Chair of the newly formed Pima County Conservation Land & Resources Advisory Committee, serving alongside Chair Chris McVie Board President of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert protection.
The Advisory Board has been established to provide community input and recommendations to the Conservation Lands and Resources Department to help achieve long-term management goals. Godlewski will be supporting McVie and Department Director, Kris Gade, to launch a 10-Year Visioning process to serve as the roadmap to achieve those goals.
| | UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS | | | | |
BUSINESS REFERRAL EXCHANGE (BRE)
BRE is focused on developing relationships and members doing business with members.
Tuesday, January 6
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
SAHBA Office
2840 N. Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
| | | | |
SALES & MARKETING COUNCIL
Join us for the January Sales & Marketing Council meeting! Our guest speaker, J. Felipe Garcia, President & CEO of Visit Tucson, will be speaking about the rebranding of Visit Tucson and their mission to welcome the world to Tucson to strengthen our vibrant community.
Tuesday, August 12
Noon - 1:00 PM
SAHBA Office
2840 N. Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
Lunch provided.
| | | | |
REMODELER'S COUNCIL
Join us for an informative discussion on the latest updates to the 2024 International Building Code (IBC). Learn about key changes, how they may impact design and construction practices, and get your questions answered by local builing officials.
SAHBA Office
2840 N. Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
Lunch provided.
| | MEMBER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS | | | | |
RADER NAMED "YOUNG GUN"
Briana Rader, Director of Land Acquisition at Mattamy Homes was recently recognized by the ProBuilder Magazine as a 2025 Young Gun, recognizing the most accomplished, promising, and interesting young leaders and housing industry legends.
Check out Briana's Video!
| | | |
MEMBERS SEE BIG SAVINGS WITH NAHB DISCOUNTS!
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.
| | INDUSTRY NEWS & INFORMATION | |
-
House Approves Permitting Reform Bill - The U.S. House of Representatives has approved NAHB-supported legislation that is a positive step toward reducing regulatory barriers by addressing the challenging permitting regime for multifamily housing. Read more.
-
NAHB Weighs in on New WOTUS Rule - During the 45-day comment period for the proposed updated definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) NAHB members and staff provided input at three different public engagement opportunities. Read more.
-
2025 Year of Housing Podcast - On the latest episode of NAHB's podcast, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez recap top events and priorities for the year, and what to expect for 2026. Read more.
| |
NEW MEMBERS
- Desert Solar Energy
- W.G. Valenzuela Drywall and Paint, INC
- Hallmark Roofing
- Sierra Pacific Windows
- Stay Positive Safety Solutions
- How to Who, Inc.
- Royce Masonry
- The Paint Kings
- Alliance Truss
- Keller Williams Rider Elite Team - Lynn Lott
| | | | |
