Tucson now allows accessory buildings at residences

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TUCSON, Arizona (KOLD News 13) – The city of Tucson looks at the bigger picture in getting smaller.

Call them casitas grandma apartments, mother-in-law, they are all the same. Current building code laws don’t allow them to be built, but that may change soon.

These homes, measuring less than 1,000 square feet, are designed to help with the city’s growing housing crisis, provide more affordable options, and enable homeowners to generate additional income.

“Over half of Tucson renters are housing burdens, which means they spend more than 30% of their income on housing.” Colby Henley from Rincon Heights said. “I think they strike a really good balance because they offer housing, they provide extra income so that it might help some homeowners stay in their homes.”

But as the president of his neighborhood association, he has heard many concerns about the small houses that are used as student dormitories in the immediate vicinity of the university. The public comment period allows them to raise these concerns.

There are also those who fear the apartments will be rented out on short term, like Airbnbs, which could lead to congestion in parking lots in their neighborhoods.

Once the public comment is finalized, a final proposal could be on the mayor’s and council’s desks by June. Then, with approval, construction could start in the summer.

The city also approved a new water differential plan under which Tucson Water will charge higher fees for thousands of customers who do not live in integrated areas.

According to a study by the city, it is more expensive to provide water to customers outside the city limits. The county disagrees and says the city study is flawed, but has not yet said whether they want to appeal the decision.

Copyright 2021 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

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