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



• SIGN UP TODAY! SAHBA Awards Event
• Builder Roundtable with Pima County
• Updating Your Member Records
• SAHBA Delegation attends Builder Show, NAHB Meetings
• Key Housing Bill Gets First Approval
• Members Wanted: Tucson Impact Fee Meeting
• Corridors Code Amendment Passed by COT Planning Commission
• OV General Plan Update
• Sahuarita Zoning Code Simplifies Process
• Fee Schedule Updated in Marana
• Sewer Rate Increase Being Proposed
• Remodeler's Council Recap
• WIC Week Mixer Recap
• Upcoming Meetings
• Member News
• Industry News & Information

JUST ANNOUNCED!

Builders & Blooms

Join us on Thursday, April 24th at Tohono Chul Park for a night to recognize industry excellence. This special Awards Reception will honor outstanding SAHBA members and feature food, drinks, music and more on the grounds of one of Tucson's hidden gems. Members will have access to the beautiful Sonoran Desert garden and exhibit galleries.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

BUILDER ROUNDTABLE



Join us for our upcoming Builder Roundtable on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 8:30-9:30 AM, featuring Dan Ice, Chief Building Official for Pima County, and Carla Blackwell, Development Services Director for Pima County, who has announced her retirement set for April 4, 2025. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights into permitting activity, inspections, and building code issues, as well as reflect on Ms. Blackwell’s 24-year legacy with Pima County's Development Services. You're encouraged to ask questions, share experiences, and engage in discussions that shape the future of development in Pima County.

SPRING CLEANING - UPDATING OUR MEMBER RECORDS

We are in the process of updating our member records to ensure the appropriate billing contacts and your key company information is accurate. If you haven’t already, expect to be receiving a call from a SAHBA representative in the near future. If you’d like to proactively update that information, contact accounting@sahba.org and we will follow up with you on how to log-in to your company specific account through our Member Information Center. 

SAHBA DELEGATION ATTENDS BUILDER SHOW, PARTICIPATES IN NAHB MEETINGS

SAHBA Board members and delegates to the NAHB Leadership Council John Ward, Andrew Hayes and Mike Vasquez recently attended the International Builder Show in Las Vegas during Design & Construction Week. They were joined by NAHB Life Director Ed Castelhano. In addition to visiting the Show and attending the Leadership Council meeting, the group participated in NAHB committee meetings and educational sessions.

ADVOCACY

STARTER HOMES BILL NARROWLY PASSES SENATE

Last week, the Arizona Senate passed the “Starter Homes Act” 16-13 with bipartisan support. The bill applies to cities with a population of 70,000 or greater and prohibits them from enacting certain restrictions and development standards. It would also establish a minimum lot sizes of 3,000 square feet for single-family developments that are five or more acres in size. The lot size was increased from the initial proposal to address concerns from municipal leaders. It is anticipated more changes will occur to get through the House and signed by the Governor who vetoed a similar bill last year. SAHBA will continue to advocate in support of the bill. 

TUCSON IMPACT FEES - STAKEHOLDER MEETING



You're Invited! The City of Tucson is hosting a stakeholder meeting on Development Impact Fees, exclusively for SAHBA and MPA members, on March 19, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at City Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room (255 W Alameda St, Tucson, AZ 85701), with a Microsoft Teams option available for remote participation. Please share this invitation as needed to ensure all relevant stakeholders are informed. For more information, please contact Brendan@sahba.org. 

CORRIDORS CODE AMENDMENT PASSES COMMISSION

The City of Tucson Planning Commission held a public hearing on Feb. 26 and unanimously supported the Community Corridors Tool (CCT), an initiative aimed at increasing housing supply and revitalizing underutilized spaces. With Tucson facing a severe housing shortage, the CCT encourages diverse housing options, affordable housing incentives, and streamlined zoning to make infill development easier along major corridors. SAHBA submitted a letter in support, emphasizing the urgent need for more housing inventory and encouraging further zoning reforms to help meet the city’s growing demand.

SAHBA WEIGHS IN ON ORO VALLEY’S GENERAL PLAN

SAHBA has submitted comments, emphasizing the need for a more balanced approach to housing and development in the Town, highlighting both the town’s strengths, such as its high quality of life and economic opportunities; and its challenges, including high development costs and restrictive zoning. We have encouraged the town to modernize zoning codes, streamline approval processes, and collaborate with the private sector to create incentives for attainable housing and smart growth. SAHBA supports policies that ensure responsible development while maintaining the Town’s character and we look forward to continued engagement to find solutions that benefit both residents and businesses. For more information, please contact Brendan@sahba.org. 

SAHUARITA APPROVES TEXT AMENDMENT TO STREAMLINE RULES

The Town Council recently voted unanimously to update its zoning code to make landscaping, buffering, and screening rules clearer and easier to navigate. The amendment fixes confusing language about when buffer yards are needed between different types of properties and introduces a simpler process for minor modifications, allowing applicants to work directly with the Planning Director instead of going through a lengthy appeal process. These changes help streamline development while still ensuring appropriate buffers between properties. SAHBA reviewed the amendment and supported it for making the rules more user-friendly while maintaining necessary protections for homeowners and communities.

MARANA UPDATES COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE

On March 4, the Town of Marana approved minor updates to its comprehensive fee schedule. One notable change is the consolidation of roadway and landscape improvement plan reviews into a single package, reducing costs from $1,900 to $1,500 for up to three submittals, though questions remain about whether this will truly encourage bundled submissions. For more details, presentation slides are available through the Town Clerk’s Office.

PIMA COUNTY PROPOSES SEWER RATE INCREASE & SUNSETTING DISCOUNT

The Regional Wastewater Department is proposing the first sewer rate increase in eight years, including a 3% hike in the sewer volume and service fees for one year, followed by a 1.75% increase for three consecutive years. Additionally, the wastewater utility (connection) fee is set to rise by 3% annually for four years, and discounts on wastewater utility fees for construction of system improvements will be phased out, though existing agreements will be honored. Public meetings to discuss these changes will be held on March 12 and March 27, 2025, at designated locations in Tucson. For more information, RSVP for our upcoming Tech Committee Meeting.

RECAP: REMODELER'S COUNCIL

The March Remodeler's Council meeting featured guest speakers from Pima JTED, Pima Community College and Pima County One Stop who specialize in working directly with employers. Each highlighted how their organizations can take advantage of programs and services to help them find new employees. Attendees also learned about training and assistance available for current employees.

RECAP: WIC MIXER

SAHBA was a proud sponsor of the the National Association of Women in Construction mixer on March 5. The event was a celebration of women's contributions to the construction industry and raise awareness for women in the field. The event was great way to network and partner with other local construction organizations including: ATB, ACT and ABA. Special "shout out" to SAHBA member and current NAWIC-Tucson President, Jamie Thrush of Capital Pump & Equipment.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Sales & Marketing Council - Tuesday, March 11, Noon at SAHBA

Tech Committee - Tuesday, March 18, 3:30p at SAHBA

Builder Roundtable - Wednesday, March 19, 8:30a at SAHBA

MEMBER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

PULTE REZONING APPROVED BY PIMA COUNTY

Last week, the Board of Supervisors approved a 114-acre rezoning to allow a new subdivision near Thornydale and Lambert Lane. This approval leads the way for much needed housing supply while improving public infrastructure and preserving open space.

• Ladder Safety Month Can Help Save Lives and Money: March is Ladder Safety Month, an annual public awareness campaign presented by the American Ladder Institute (ALI) and sponsored by NAHB. It’s the perfect time to review your safety policies and procedures for using one of the most common — but dangerous — pieces of equipment on a jobsite. Read more...

• Supreme Court Rules Against EPA in Permitting Case Supported by NAHB: Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision in San Francisco v. EPA, a case concerning the Environmental Protection Agency’s duties to provide a path to compliance for certain clean water rules. Read more...