Sahuarita council adopts three zoning-code amendments to align with 2023 code changes and new state laws

The Town Council unanimously adopted three zoning-related ordinances that staff characterized as a combination of housekeeping and required updates to comply with recently enacted state laws.

Anna Cassidy, the town's Community Development Director, said the first ordinance was a code cleanup: a list of zone names in Title 18 had not been updated after a 2023 residential-zone overhaul. Cassidy said the amendment does not change boundaries, permitted uses or rezoning of any properties — it simply updates the code text to match prior substantive edits.

The second ordinance implements a state-mandated process created by SB 1308 (2025) for reasonable accommodations for sober-living homes. Under Sahuarita's definition these facilities are classified as group care homes (single-family residences serving seven to 10 residents). The amendment preserves the town's 1,200-foot separation standard but establishes an administrative accommodation process, handled by the planning director/zoning administrator, with guidance intended to align with the Federal Fair Housing Act.

The third ordinance brings the town into compliance with HB 2447 (2025) by converting certain applications (final plats, tentative plats and site plans) to administrative review where state law requires it and removing the council pre-approval requirement for private streets to streamline procedures. Cassidy said the Planning and Zoning Commission held public hearings (4-0 recommendations) and that the town published required notices; the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association submitted a letter of support for the subdivision amendment.

Each ordinance passed on a unanimous council vote during the meeting.