Sahuarita council adopts noise ordinance amendment to comply with new state law

The Town of Sahuarita Town Council on an unanimous 6-0 vote adopted Ordinance 2025-184, amending town code chapter 8.3 on noise to align local construction-hour rules with recently enacted state law SB 1182.

“This amendment to town code is to bring our local codes into compliance with the new state law,” Community Development Director Anna said, explaining the ordinance updates allowable construction hours required by the state bill.

The ordinance revises local construction-hour limits so that, under the state framework, general construction may begin as early as 5 a.m. in summer, with concrete pours allowed an hour earlier. Town staff said they simplified end times and kept a single 7 p.m. stop time across categories for clarity. The town retains an administrative noise-waiver process for projects that need to work outside standard hours.

Several council members voiced concerns about the early start times. “I know the governor signed this bill. I don't think she took into effect that people do sleep during those hours,” one council member said during debate, adding personal opposition to a 5 a.m. start for some activities. Town Manager Shane responded that the law takes effect whether the council adopts the local ordinance or not and said adopting locally with an emergency clause would be housekeeping to align the code with state law.

Council members moved and voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-184; the clerk recorded a 6-0 vote in favor.

What the ordinance changes will mean in practice for specific projects, and how many administrative waivers the town receives, will be tracked by staff and reported back as needed. Town staff emphasized that local noise-waiver authority remains available for projects requiring different hours.

The council debated whether to adopt the ordinance with an emergency clause (which requires a supermajority) but the formal motion on the ordinance passed on the recorded 6-0 vote.