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Board adopts zoning code changes to allow 'missing middle' housing types in Pima County
Summary
Supervisors approved amendments to the county zoning code to reintroduce duplexes/triplexes and related 'plex' housing types to increase housing choice. The measure was supported by housing/building trade groups and intends to expand housing typologies available without requiring rezoning in some zones.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt amendments to the zoning code that expand housing options to include duplexes, triplexes and similar “plex” dwellings in certain zones, a change sponsors described as restoring a wider range of housing types to the county’s zoning toolkit.
Planning staff described the revision as a response to developer and housing-industry requests for more flexibility in building lower-cost, moderate-density housing options often called the “missing middle.” The board approved the ordinance (No. 2025-8 for the first text amendment; a second ordinance, 2025-9, covered related code changes) after a short staff briefing and no public opposition at the hearing.
County staff said the change allows property owners more choice in housing types on eligible lots; property owners who prefer single-family development may still pursue it. Representatives of the Southern Arizona Builders Association and Tucson Association of Realtors told staff they supported the change and wanted the county to consider broader options in the future.
Why this matters: The change is intended to expand housing supply and options across neighborhoods without requiring a rezoning in every case. Supporters said it would make it easier to add smaller multi-unit homes in appropriate areas and support housing affordability by broadening permissible building types.
Provenance: Public hearing and vote on zoning code text amendments (ordinance 2025-8 and ordinance 2025-9); staff explained intent and supporters from industry were noted.
