Tucson Data Center UDC Standards (adopted 2026)
Tucson UDC Amendment: Large-Scale Data Center Zoning Regulations (adopted August 5, 2026)
Tucson, AZ · City of Tucson, UDC Text Amendment (adopted August 5, 2026, 6-1 vote)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- August 5, 2026
- Applies to
- Developers and operators of large-scale data centers in Tucson
- Enforced by
- City of Tucson Planning and Development Services; Mayor and Council
Tucson's City Council voted 6-1 on August 5, 2026 to adopt citywide zoning rules for large data centers. Projects over 25,000 square feet or 20 megawatts must obtain Planned Area Development zoning, allowing the Mayor and Council to review each project, and must meet setback, noise, habitat, and grid-protection standards. The ordinance makes Tucson one of the first Arizona cities to establish permanent data center siting regulations.
Who is protected: Tucson residents and neighborhoods near proposed large data center sites
Legal detail
Unified Development Code text amendment adopted August 5, 2026 (6-1 vote). Requires Planned Area Development (PAD) or Planned Community Development (PCD) zoning for data centers >25,000 sq ft or >20 MW demand; residential setback requirements; property-line noise limits; sound walls; battery-first backup power; and habitat preservation standards. City of Tucson Mayor and Council retain review authority over each qualifying data center project.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Tucson, AZ |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | August 5, 2026 |
| Citation | City of Tucson, UDC Text Amendment (adopted August 5, 2026, 6-1 vote) |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| Agency page | Large-Scale Data Center Zoning Regulations — City of Tucson Planning Initiatives (adopted Aug. 5, 2026) |
More AI rules in Tucson, AZ
- Tucson AZ large-scale data center zoning ordinance · In effect
- Tucson Unified School District AI policy revisions (2026) · In effect
- Tucson Project Blue Rejection · In effect
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Dayton OH data center moratorium (180-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
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