Pima County, AZ Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Pima County Code § 18.01.030(D)(7)
- Applies to
- Nonconforming buildings, unincorporated county only
- Qualifying work
- Solar, rainwater harvesting, insulation, HVAC, windows
- Development plan
- Waived under § 18.71.010(B) for qualifying work
- Determination authority
- Chief zoning inspector or designee
- Max penalty
- $750/day individual, $10,000/day entity
Summary
In unincorporated Pima County, a legally nonconforming building doesn't have to be brought up to current zoning standards just because you add solar panels, rainwater harvesting, insulation or other energy- or water-saving upgrades. Pima County Code § 18.01.030(D)(7) exempts specific green retrofits, listed by name in the code, from the conformance and development-plan requirements that otherwise apply whenever a nonconforming structure is altered.
Exception for Green Building Upgrades and Renovations that Reduce Energy or Water Consumption. Notwithstanding Sections 18.01.030(D)(3)(a) or 18.01.030(D)(5), structural alterations, excluding enlargement and extension except as provided below, necessary for green building upgrades and renovations that reduce energy or water consumption are permitted without the requirement for the lawful nonconforming aspects of the building or use to be brought into conformance with the regulations specified in this code and shall not require submittal of a development plan for review and approval in accordance with Section 18.71.010(B). For the purposes of this section, permitted enlargement and extension includes the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, ground- or roof-mounted solar energy systems, roof eaves or overhangs, attached shade structures or detached shade structures extending three feet or less from the main building, roofed porches, and green roofs. Green building upgrades and renovations must reduce energy or water consumption.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-64: Contains Supplement, with local legislation through Ordinance 2026-9, passed 7-28-2026, current through 7-28-2026).
Full Breakdown
Pima County's zoning code treats green retrofits as an exception to its nonconforming-use rules rather than as an independent green building code. 030(D)(7), a lawfully nonconforming building in the unincorporated county, meaning a structure or use that predates current zoning and would otherwise have to be brought into full conformance before any structural work proceeds, may add specific energy- or water-saving features without triggering that conformance requirement. The chief zoning inspector or designee determines what qualifies. The code's own list covers rainwater harvesting systems, ground- or roof-mounted solar energy systems, roof eaves or overhangs, attached or detached shade structures extending three feet or less from the main building, roofed porches, and green roofs, plus non-structural work such as lighting, air barriers, duct insulation and sealing, attic and wall insulation, efficient plumbing fixtures, windows, HVAC upgrades, solar hot water and photovoltaic systems, water-harvesting cisterns, and Energy Star qualified roofing.
030(D)(7) exempts only qualifying work from that development-plan submittal. 030(D)(3)(a) or (D)(5) and loses the exemption. This is a Pima County Development Services rule for unincorporated land only; Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita and South Tucson apply their own codes to nonconforming buildings inside city limits.
Violations & Fines
There's no separate green-building penalty; work that falls outside the listed exemptions is treated as an unpermitted structural alteration to a nonconforming building. The chief zoning inspector investigates complaints under § 18.95.030, and a hearing officer who finds a violation can impose civil penalties under § 18.95.040: up to $750 per day for an individual or $10,000 per day for a corporation or other entity, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate offense, plus injunctive action by the county attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to add solar panels to an older nonconforming house in unincorporated Pima County?
What upgrades actually qualify for the exception?
Does this apply if I live inside Tucson or Oro Valley?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pima County
Compare Pima County to another location·View the Arizona building safety overview
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