Hearing officer recommends Huachuca City zoning amendment to bar home-based explosives and certain weapons businesses

Huachuca CityHearing Officer Dr. Johnson opened a public hearing on Feb. 19, 2026, to present proposed text amendments to Section 18.100.210 D(1) of the townzoning code. The changes are intended "to align the town code section 18.100.210 D(1) with state law concerning firearm related home based businesses and to further clarify what is prohibited," Dr. Johnson said.

Dr. Johnson read the proposed language into the record and noted the town posted public notices, published notice in the newspaper and maintained a citizen review process since Feb. 5. He told the chamber, "To this day, no written comments have been submitted." The hearing officer then opened the floor for public comment, but no members of the public entered the council chamber; only the hearing officer, Town Clerk Brandye Thorpe and Chief of Police Wyatt Barry were present. After closing the public hearing, Dr. Johnson said, "It is my recommendation to approve the amendment as written." He said the recommendation will be forwarded to the Town Council for final reading and decision.

The amendment text, as read into the record, specifies that prohibited home-based business uses would include the sale, mail order, trade, manufacture, display, storage or repair of explosives or improvised explosive devices, and of "prohibited weapons, as defined under ARS Section 13-3101." The change removes ambiguity in the current code by explicitly listing categories of items and tying the definition of "prohibited weapons" to the state statute.

The Town Council will receive the hearing officerrecommendation for a final reading and decision at a subsequent meeting. No formal council vote occurred at the Feb. 19 public hearing.