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



• Board Installation Luncheon
• Thank You Sponsors!
• It's Easy! Update Your Company Profile
• PDSD Wants Your Input
• Oro Valley Approves Admin Approval of Plats and More
• County In-Lieu Fee Moves Forward
• Advocacy Assessment
• Legislative Preview
• P&Z Initiates New Infill Overlay Zone
• Reminder - New Codes Effective Jan. 1
• Support Needed: RTANext / Connect Pima
• Tech Committee Today
• Sales & Marketing Re-Cap
• Remodeler's Re-Cap
• BRE Re-Cap
• Upcoming Meetings
• Member News & Information
• Industry News
• New Members

FEATURED EVENT

Installation Luncheon

Don't forget, for those who have registered, the SAHBA Board of Directors Installation Luncheon is this week!

Please join us as we honor the 2026 Board of Directors, celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, and look ahead to the opportunities of the new year.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Jewish Community Center

Registration: 11:30 | Lunch: Noon

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

We would like to extend a sincere "thank you" to nearly 100 different businesses that supported SAHBA as an event sponsor in 2025!

Our sponsors make it possible for SAHBA to deliver programs that provide important information, create valuable networking opportunities and build lasting relationships.

We encourage you thank them for their continued commitment to SAHBA.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Southern Arizona Home Builders Association

ARE YOUR COMPANY RECORDS UP TO DATE?

Start off the New Year with a little house keeping to ensure you and your colleagues are getting all of the news, information and announcements from SAHBA. We regularly hear from members who miss a reminder or whose colleague never gets an email or their billing department missed an invoice. These are all easy fixes! But we need your help.

Every SAHBA member company has its own unique profile or Member Information Center (MIC) portal designed to improve your member experience and increase engagement. In it, you can: update company records and add employees; register for events; make payments and more. Click here to access your MIC and take advantage of all it offers.

ADVOCACY

INPUT REQUESTED: PDSD CODE UPDATE SURVEY

Tucson's Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) Code Update Package is being developed to modernize the City’s development codes, making them clearer, more consistent, and easier to use. 

PDSD invites community members to complete a short survey to help identify areas where improvements may be needed. Feedback will guide this work and ensure the code reflects shared priorities.

ORO VALLEY APPROVES ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS

Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council passed amendments to the Town Code creating administrative approval for several planning and zoning plans/processes. The move - supported by SAHBA - aligns with new statutory requirements. The changes remove requirements for public hearings before Mayor & Council to approve:

• Development Plans and Master Development Plans
• Preliminary Plats
• Final Plats
• Commercial Architecture
• Model Home Architecture
• Public Art
• Other Design Applications (like Sign Criteria)

These will now be reviewed and approved administratively saving time and money for the applicants.

PIMA COUNTY IN-LIEU FEE MOVES FORWARD

At the December meeting, the Pima County Planning & Zoning Commission initiated an amendment to the Pima County Subdivision & Development Street Standards to establish provisions for the preservation of public streets through an in-lieu fee paid by builders/developers. The fee would replace the requirement they perform the work themselves. SAHBA has worked closely with PDOT to advance this option. We expect it to go to P&Z for a vote in February and then to the Board of Supervisors.

ADVOCACY ASSESSMENT - IDENTIFYING INDUSTRY PRIORITIES

In 2026, a key priority for SAHBA is delivering value through quality programs and services. Simply put, we want to be sure we are tailoring what we do to meeting your needs. That starts with understanding exactly what you need to be successful.

Earlier this week, the SAHBA team met with a dozen industry professionals to identify and understand challenges and opportunities working with local government. Through this, we will be able to offer real "win-win" solutions and to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes. Whether it's reducing permit issuance time-frames, improving consistency of reviews, expediting project close-outs or advocating for increased staffing, we are optimistic through this, we can make a positive impact for our members. We anticipate this to be an ongoing and iterative process. If you have ideas, or would like to be involved, please contact David Godlewski at david@sahba.org.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS WITH STATE OF THE STATE

The Arizona legislature is back in session. Each year, the Governor's State of the State address kicks-off the proceedings. On Monday, Governor Hobbs outlined her own goals focusing on affordability, connecting Arizona's cost of living and housing prices to a variety of policy topics calling on legislators to: cut taxes, increase efficiency, providing housing and energy cost assistance, limiting ESAs and protecting water resources. Click here for a summary from SAHBA's Legislative Lobbyist Copper State Consulting.

We are pleased to see the Governor focus on housing and affordability but several past efforts supported by the homebuilders to address the issues have been met with a veto. Once again, we will be working with the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, and Copper State, on advancing several key initiatives particularly those that reduce regulatory thresholds, minimize unnecessary litigation, focus on infrastructure and ensure water for housing. For a comprehensive preview of what to expect this session, click here.

COUNTY P&Z INITIATES INFILL OVERLAY ZONE

At their December 11 meeting, the Pima County Planning & Zoning Commission voted to initiate a 300 acre "Infill Overlay Zone" located south of E. Benson Highway. Incentives would be offered to promote development in the area. Click here for details. SAHBA will work with the County as the text amendment moves forward.

REMINDER - NEW BUILDING CODES IN EFFECT IN TUCSON & PIMA CO.

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, which 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.

COMMUNITY BUILDING

MEETINGS & EVENTS

ON THE HORIZON

TECH COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 20

3:30 PM

SAHBA Office

2840 N. Country Club Road

Tucson, AZ 85716

Business Referral Exchange - Tuesday, February 3, 7:30a at SAHBA with special guest Mel Blumenthal, Bloom Wealth Alliance on "The Top 10 Things People in Construction & Sales Need To Know About Business & Financial Planning."

Remodeler's Council - Wednesday, February 4, Noon at SAHBA with special guest NAHB-R Chair Nicole Goolsby Morrison discussing all things NAHB Remodeler's Council and tips for local HBA's.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Business Referral Exchange

Our January BRE meeting was packed with energy and a full room of members ready to connect. We had a diverse group of professionals who spent time getting to know one another, sharing updates about their businesses, and exchanging valuable leads.

Several members commented that the year is already off to a strong start, and the positive momentum in the room made that clear. These meetings continue to be a powerful way to build relationships, strengthen referral networks, and support one another’s growth.

If you’ve never attended a BRE meeting, we encourage you to make it a goal this year. We meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 AM. Join us next month with special guest Mel Blumenthal, Bloom Wealth Alliance on "The Top 10 Things People in Construction & Sales Need To Know About Business & Financial Planning."

REMODELER'S COUNCIL

This month’s Remodelers Council meeting featured a presentation on the 2024 International Building Code updates by Dan Ice, Brent Woods, and Ramon Gallegos of Pima County Development Services.

We appreciate the presenters for sharing their expertise and for staying beyond the meeting to address member questions. A copy of the presentation can be found here.

Congratulations to Dan Ice on his promotion to Deputy Director of Development Services for Pima County! SAHBA looks forward to continued collaboration.

We encourage remodelers to attend the next Remodelers Council meeting with special guest NAHB-R Chair Nicole Goolsby Morrison discussing all things NAHB Remodeler's Council and tips for local HBA's.

MEMBER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

TANKS GREEN STUFF OPENS NEW LOCATION

SAHBA member Tanks Green Stuff has recently opened a new inert-only landfill on Tucson’s east side at 6990 S. Old Spanish Trail and is now accepting Clean INERT materials from local contractors including: dirt, rock, aggregates, concrete, bloc, brick and asphalt. Clean loads only — no trash or mixed debris. See flyer for more information.

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

• Builder Sentiment Loses Ground at Start of 2026 - Builder confidence moved lower to start the year as affordability concerns continue to weigh heavily with buyers, and builders continue to contend with rising construction costs. Read more.

• NAHB Participates in Housing Roundtable - NAHB Chief Lobbyist Lake Coulson on Jan. 14 participated in a Housing Affordability Roundtable hosted by the New Democrat Coalition, which represents over half of the Democratic caucus. Lawmakers and housing stakeholders discussed ways to address affordability challenges and enact federal housing finance reforms. Read more.

• NAHB Supports Administration's Lawsuit Against California Natural Gas Ban In a move strongly supported by NAHB, the Trump administration on Jan. 5 sued two California cities over their ordinances banning natural gas infrastructure and appliances in new construction. Read more.



• Tucson Rep. and Friend of SAHBA Makes Power Rankings List - Coming in at #18 on Noble Predictive Insights 'Arizona Power Rankings' list is Tucson State Representative Alma Hernandez. Hernandez is frequently endorsed by SAHBA-PAC. Other notables from Southern Arizona in the top 50 were: Mayor Regina Romero (32); Cong. Eli Crate (38); Lea Marquez Peterson (43) and Cong. Juan Ciscomani (45). Read more.

NEW MEMBERS

• Cole Avenue, LLC
• Mark Moore Consulting, LLC