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Pima County, AZ Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Repair scope
Non-commercial, resident's own vehicle
Lot under 8,000 sq ft
1 unscreened inoperable vehicle max
Lot over 8,000 sq ft
2 unscreened inoperable vehicles max
Screening deadline
60 calendar days

Summary

Unincorporated Pima County allows non-commercial home auto repair on your own vehicle, but caps how many inoperable cars can sit unscreened in the yard.

City-specific rules exist: Tucson has its own auto repair on residential property rules that differ from Pima County's county-level regulations. If you live in Tucson, check the city-specific page instead.

Non-commercial home auto repair of motor vehicles is permitted in TH, RH, GR-1, SR, SR-2, SH, CR-1, CR-2, CR-3, CR-4, CR-5, TR, CMH-1, CMH-2, and MU zones as an accessory use to a dwelling unit provided that the vehicle being repaired belongs to the resident of the dwelling unit and further provided that the vehicle and property are in compliance with this section.

2.   No more than one unscreened, inoperable motor vehicle can be stored on a lot containing less than eight thousand square feet of lot area.

3.   No more than two unscreened, inoperable motor vehicles can be stored on a lot containing more than eight thousand square feet of lot area.

4.   An unscreened, inoperable motor vehicle may be stored for a period of time not to exceed sixty calendar days.

5.   Inoperable motor vehicles stored longer than one period of sixty calendar days shall be screened by either mature vegetation as defined below or screened by a built or assembled self-supporting enclosure which has no openings through which a spherical object of one inch in diameter can pass. The screening must effectively block the view of the stored objects from an observer at adjacent grade five feet from the enclosure. For the purposes of this section an enclosure or screen must meet one or more of the following requirements:

a.   Be any mature non-deciduous vegetation.

b.   Be a built or assembled self-supporting structural screen or

View official code

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

Section 18.09.020(P) permits non-commercial home auto repair as an accessory use in most residential and rural zones, but only on a vehicle belonging to the dwelling's resident. Lots under 8,000 square feet can have no more than one unscreened, inoperable vehicle; larger lots up to two. Inoperable vehicles left unscreened beyond sixty days must be screened by vegetation or an enclosure, or moved into a garage.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the unscreened-vehicle limit or leaving an inoperable car unscreened past the 60-day window is a zoning code violation subject to enforcement by the zoning inspector, who can order screening or removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fix cars at my house in unincorporated Pima County?
Yes, non-commercial repair of your own vehicle is allowed as an accessory use under §18.09.020(P), but not for commercial customers.
How many broken-down cars can I keep in my yard?
One unscreened inoperable vehicle on lots under 8,000 sq ft, or two on larger lots, per §18.09.020(P)(2)-(3).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pima County

All Pima County rules

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