Tucson to review new rules for large-scale data centers

The Tucson Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a study session in May to review proposed regulations concerning large-scale data centers. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. at City Hall in the Tucson Mayor and Council Chambers. This initiative began in August 2025 when the Mayor and Council directed city staff to develop specific regulations for these facilities, providing additional guidance at an April 7 study session. Currently, large-scale data centers are classified as utility generation land use, requiring a Planned Area Development or Planned Community Development without explicit rules governing their construction. Throughout the process, the proposed regulations have incorporated input from a Technical Advisory Committee and the community. City staff conducted four public meetings, which attracted over 200 attendees, and received more than 980 comments through various channels, including an online form. Following the upcoming Planning Commission review, staff will draft a code amendment. The next stages involve a public hearing and a recommendation from the Planning Commission to the Mayor and Council, who will then consider and potentially adopt the proposed amendment.