The update was initiated pre- Covid-19 by Pima County to address electronic message boards,  
which were not covered in the Pima County Sign Code Ordinance update. Code in its current draft accounts for a significant reduction in the lumens and color allowed by the 2012 Ordinance in response to new LED technology. This has created concerns about the impact of safety, economic competitiveness, and additional retrofitting costs to existing and new businesses and development. 

ACTION: Chamber staff has been attending Outdoor Lighting Code Committee Meetings in-person. The Chamber has provided several comments to the Committee regarding the importance of the preservation and ability of Tucson and its economy to continue to grow, business retention and attraction, and public safety. Most current drafts have been shared with membership at large and sent to targeted members. Staff have met with the new Business Representative appointed to the Committee and shared other open committee positions with membership in multiple outreaches. Staff will be updated by Law Enforcement partners following a meeting with Chief Kasmar and City/County staff on the 13th. The Chamber held a Public Policy Council Study Session on March 15th with an update from PPC members, and Chamber Board member, Priscilla Storm with Diamond Ventures. The Public comment period opens until April 12th, The Chamber will work to compile comments. Next Outdoor Lighting Code Committee Meeting to be held in the last week of April, next steps to be discussed. City and County looking to have ordinance adopted this year. 

The Tucson-Pima County Joint Code Committee consolidates the Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Code Committees. Its purpose is to review and propose amendments to various codes, including the Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical Code, and more. Additionally, it serves as a standing committee between code reviews. Currently, the Joint Committee is focused on updating local building codes to align with the latest international standards. Meetings are held monthly, exclusively in person. The committee is in its discussion stages and will not be formally adopting amendments to the code yet. Several potential amendments have been on our radar around updates which would add costs to developers amid a housing affordability crisis, and updates which would potentially increase the burden on restaurant operators. 

ACTION:  The Chamber will be bringing in member(s) of the committee to discuss proposed amendments in May/June once the energy code has been released and reviewed by the committee. 

A well-functioning Planning and Development Services Department is essential for managing growth, addressing housing shortages, and fostering economic vitality in a growing city. By balancing the needs of residents, businesses, and the environment, the department plays a pivotal role in shaping Tucson’s future trajectory. PDSD has not increased development review fees since 2010, but is proposing a 7% fee increase over two years, broken up into (2) 3.5% annual increases in 2024 and 2025. The increases would impact development review fees for the Department of Transportation and Mobility and Tucson Fire. PDSD is promoting that the fee increase would provide for more staffing to more quickly process development. 

ACTION: Tucson Metro Chamber staff are engaging in working groups and information sessions around Plan Tucson regulatory implementation, permit turnarounds, fee increases, adequate service levels and investments. Specifically, the Chamber has participated in information sessions around the upcoming phased, two-time 3.5 % fee increases. The Chamber has also worked to help compile feedback for the Year-One review of the city’s EV ordinance. 

Impact fees are one-time charges imposed on new developments to cover the costs of infrastructure necessary to support growth. Funds collected from impact fees are allocated to various service areas such as parks and recreation, police, fire, and streets, with the aim of enhancing capacity and infrastructure. The City Manager's Office is currently updating these impact fees, with the final figures and data pending from a consulting firm. The last update was in 2020, effective from July 1, 2021. The update is required by state statute to ensure that fees accurately reflect the costs associated with growth-related infrastructure improvements and that funds are appropriately allocated to support the demands of new development. Draft reports on the fee update are expected to be released in the summer of 2024, with public hearings scheduled from spring 2024 to spring 2025. The Study and subsequent Ordinance will establish the new fee structure, ensuring alignment with current development needs and financial considerations. The City Manager's Office will present an update on the March 19 agenda of the M&C Study session. 

ACTION:  Chamber staff will actively participate in stakeholder meetings in person, remaining engaged throughout the process. They will carefully consider any concerns raised by members and provide feedback to City Manager Staff accordingly. 

ACTION: The Chamber and TRAC are monitoring and planning for a counter-messaging campaign to promote among member businesses and the community.