Click here for Interactive Map
Pima County and the City of Tucson have identified thousands of acres of vacant or underutilized properties that are suitable or potentially suitable locations for utility or large-scale solar facilities. These include privately owned properties in unincorporated Pima County that are part of a Renewable Energy Incentive District (REID), as well as vacant properties owned by the City of Tucson. The City and County would like to encourage utility or large-scale solar systems or facilities to be developed on these sites.
The following information will appear with a click of the mouse for each of the parcels of land:
- If it is a REID parcel, the tier will be identified
- Owner – City of Tucson or the name of private land owner if the parcel is a REID parcel
- Parcel code, also known as the tax code or parcel number
- Address or general location of the land
- Zoning designation(s)
- Number of acres on each parcel that have been identified as suitable for solar installations. In the case of some REID parcels, a single parcel may be split into more than one section. In that case the acreage of that section is provided (individual area acres), as well as the total acreage of all of the sections of that parcel (total area acres).
Pima County MapGuide: Another way to view these lands is to visit the Pima County MapGuide site. The layer containing these lands is called Solar Lands Suitable for Development.
Questions about REID? Contact Pima County Development Services at (520) 740-6800.
Questions about City of Tucson owned lands? Contact the City of Tucson Real Estate Program at (520)791-4181.
Lands within Pima County’s Renewable Energy Incentive District (REID)
There are three categories of REID sites:
- Tier 1 REID sites require the least amount of pre-development preparation or submittal steps for a solar developer.
- Tier 2 REID sites are the same as Tier 1 except that they require an archaeological survey or a Pima pineapple cactus survey and subsequent mitigation measures if either are located.
- Tier 2 REID Airport sites include only the Tucson International Airport and Ryan Airfield properties located in unincorporated Pima County. These sites are subject to the same requirements of a Tier 2 site plus any additional requirements as determined by the Tucson Airport Authority.
Tier 1 REID sites had to meet a number of criteria such as, but not limited to, a minimum site area of five (5) acres or larger, the site has previously been disturbed, or is underutilized, or is a vacant property, the site lies outside of high value biological or archaeological resource areas, the site is not on tribal or federal land, the site is not located within three hundred (300) feet of residential structures existing at the time of site establishment, and the site lies outside of certain flood areas. Tier 2 REID sites must meet the same criteria as the Tier 1 sites but the land might have archaeological and/or biological resources which if found, would have to be addressed by a solar developer.
Incentives and Performance Standards for Pima County REID Lands
Pima County offers incentives for the development of solar facilities on lands that fall within the REID. The County development review departments and offices are each offering different incentives generally consisting of reduced or waived regulations, reduced or waived fees, and expedited review time for development plan submittals. For example, several County departments (Environmental Quality, Development Services, Regional Flood Control District, and Transportation) are offering reduced fees and/or expedited review of plans submitted by the solar developer. The Development Services Department additionally would not require a conditional use permit, allow a much simpler development plan, reduce mitigation ratios for certain vegetation and reduce bufferyards, and would allow the solar developer to eliminate unnecessary parking. Click here for more information on the incentives. Click here for a complete fact sheet on the REID lands, including performance standards.
City of Tucson Properties
The City of Tucson owns hundreds of parcels in the region, some of which are potentially suitable for solar facility development. The City-owned parcels on this map 1) have been reviewed and approved by individuals in the responsible departments, 2) are five acres or greater (or part of a contiguous group of parcels 5 acres or greater), 3) are currently vacant based on results of a geospatial analysis, and 4) are not currently encumbered by a lease. However, many large City-owned properties have not been included in this version of the map as they have not yet been reviewed by the individual departments and identified as being potentially suitable for solar development. At this time, the City does not have an incentive program similar to Pima County’s REID. Therefore, future versions of this map may include additional City-owned land as well as an incentive program similar to the REID. Questions regarding City property not shown on this map or regarding possible solar incentives may also be directed to the City Real Estate Program at (520) 791-4181.
Information current as of May 2012.