Pima County, AZ Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Who can apply
- Property owner or their agent
- First review
- Historical Commission plans review subcommittee
- Final approval
- Board of Supervisors public hearing
- Governing chapter
- Historic Zone, Pima County Code 18.63
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Pima County properties
Summary
Owners of historically significant properties in unincorporated Pima County can petition to designate them as historic landmark zones, requiring Historical Commission review and Board of Supervisors approval.
An application for designation of a historic landmark zone may be initiated by the owners of the property, or by the planning and zoning commission upon recommendation of the Pima County plans review subcommittee of the historical commission with the consent of the owners, by submitting a historic landmark zone application to the development services department and complying with the provisions of this subsection.
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 Code Section 18.63.050(B)(1) lets a property owner petition to have a historically or archaeologically significant site rezoned as a historic landmark zone, an overlay that locks in design review for exterior changes. The application goes first to the Pima County Plans Review Subcommittee of the Historical Commission for a recommendation, then to the Development Services Department, and finally to a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Owners must show the property meets the historic-significance criteria in Section 18.63.040 before the zone is approved.
Violations & Fines
Once a landmark zone is approved, new construction, alterations and demolition of the structure require Development Services and Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation Office review under Sections 18.63.080 and 18.63.090 before work can proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I nominate my own property as a historic landmark in Pima County?
Does this landmark process apply inside Tucson?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pima County
Compare Pima County to another location·View the Arizona historic preservation overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.