Council adopts zoning text amendment to speed some temporary permits, limit off‑site sign displays

The Sahuarita Town Council voted Aug. 20 to adopt Ordinance 2025186, amending Town Code Title 18 (sections 18.07 and 18.93) to create an administrative review for certain temporary uses and to set new maximums for temporary off‑site signs. The ordinance was approved after a staff presentation and no public testimony at the hearing.

Planning staff member Dylan (last name not specified) told the council the change creates a Class 1 temporary use permit — an administrative review intended for short‑term, low‑impact activities such as temporary security trailers on active construction sites, temporary model home complexes, holiday sales and farmers markets, and temporary cargo container storage for commercial remodels. Longer or higher‑impact temporary uses remain subject to the current public‑hearing Class 2 process before the Board of Adjustment.

The amendment also defines standards for temporary off‑site sign plans that qualify for administrative review: a total of 60 days in any 365‑day period, up to three display periods within those 60 days, a maximum of 120 square feet of signage total, a 12‑square‑foot cap per sign and no more than 20 signs per campaign. Applications that do not meet these standards will still require a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Dylan said the changes respond to applicants whose timing requirements were incompatible with the longer public‑hearing schedule and were recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The council adopted the ordinance by voice vote.