Sahuarita, AZ Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

The Santa Cruz River runs through the western portion of Sahuarita, and numerous tributary washes cross the town, creating defined flood hazard areas mapped by FEMA. Properties within Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone A and Zone AE) must comply with Sahuarita floodplain management regulations adopted to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. New construction in flood zones must have the lowest floor elevated above the base flood elevation, typically with at least one foot of freeboard. Substantial improvements to existing structures (improvements costing 50 percent or more of the structure value) trigger the same elevation requirements. Fill material placed in the floodplain must be compensated by equivalent excavation to maintain flood storage capacity. The Pima County Regional Flood Control District regulates major watercourses and manages flood control infrastructure including detention basins and channel improvements in the Sahuarita area. During monsoon season, the Santa Cruz River and its washes can flash flood rapidly with dangerous force and depth. The Town participates in the Community Rating System, which may reduce flood insurance premiums for properties in the community. Mandatory flood insurance applies to federally financed mortgages on properties in designated flood zones.