Council advances business-friendly code changes for comment

Proposed amendments to Chapter 50 (Sewers) of the City Code of Ordinances would carry forward most existing standards with a few refinements. Most notably, they would replace the current 500-gallon minimum interceptor requirement with more flexible, scalable options.

The amendments incorporate a new design manual that uses a fixture unit table to better match interceptor size with actual plumbing load. This would allow for a 300-gallon interceptor for smaller installations and progressively larger ones as the load increases. For smaller businesses, this change could result in thousands of dollars in savings.

Council also moved forward Development Code amendments that would permit small contractor yards as a principal use within the General Commercial and Light Industrial zoning districts. The amendment responds to the growing needs of home-based and contractor-based businesses that may require storage of additional vehicles, materials, and equipment beyond what current home-based business regulations allow.

Currently, outdoor storage is permitted only as an accessory use to an established principal business operating on the same site. The proposed amendment would allow limited contractor storage and staging activities to operate independently from the contractor’s primary office or business location, helping support small business growth while minimizing potential impacts to residential neighborhoods.

These code amendments, along with others moved forward for public comment, were developed in partnership with regional partners and stakeholders. This coordination helps make the building and development process in Sierra Vista and the surrounding area clearer and more user-friendly for local businesses and contractors.

Residents can view proposed code amendments and offer feedback through Sunday, Sept. 13, by visiting www.Engage.SierraVistaAZ.gov.

Other council actions

• Council moved forward Development Code amendments for public comment that relocate water conservation codes to Residential, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes to consolidate building-code related standards within a single regulatory framework.
• Council moved forward Building Code updates for public comment that adopt building, mechanical, plumbing, energy, conservation, fire, fuel, gas, residential, existing building, swimming pool and accessibility, and fire codes regulating and governing the construction conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings, and structures in the City.
• Council adopted a consolidated Development Services Fee Schedule for planning, engineering, building safety, fire prevention, and related development review services.
• Council adopted a primary property tax levy rate of $0.0993 per $100 of assessed value, generating an estimated $399,527 this fiscal year. The rate was adjusted lower than last year so that residents will not see an increase in the amount they pay for City property taxes.
• Council approved the codification of the Code of Ordinances and declared a 30-day public record. The resolution is part of a required administrative process and does not affect the effective dates of any of the ordinances proposed for codification.
• Council adopted an official intent to be reimbursed for vehicles. The resolution gives the City the flexibility to finance certain items with future Council approval if it is in the best interest of the City to do so.
• Council also adopted an official intent to be reimbursed for improvements to the Sierra Vista Golf Center included in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget.
• Council approved the issuance of an Industrial Development Authority bond not to exceed $85,000,000. As usual, the City has no financial obligation in relation to the issuance of this bond.
• Council approved a resolution to dedicate the Domingo Paiz Archery Range as the Gerald T. Busha Archery Range. The nomination was brought forward by Parks and Recreation Commission Associate Member Berlynda Schaaf and recommended for approval by the Parks and Recreation Commission and Director of Parks, Recreation, and Library Laura Wilson. The dedication honors Busha’s legacy of 17 years of teaching, mentoring, and promoting archery for youth and adults in Sierra Vista and the surrounding area.
• Council appointed Pam Anderson to the Neighborhoods Commission and Kevin Lassiter to the Parks and Recreation Commission.