A New Backyard Economy

Valerie Lane
18 hours ago
4 min read

ADU's and Infill for Tucson

A grassroots path to abundance in Tucson

More homes = more stability. In Tucson, adding backyard ADUs and small-scale infill won’t solve the entire housing shortage, but it does lower pressure on rents, supports a hyper-local trade and construction industry, helps families create generational stability, and gives neighborhoods and local residents a say in how we grow.

Homelessness continues to rise in Tucson, but we can do something about it. The leading cause of homelessness across the United States is a lack of housing units that people can afford. Tucson continues to add a large number of new apartments, which is starting to take the heat off rent prices. If we keep adding small, well-designed homes in the neighborhoods we already love (like backyard casitas/ADUs and other gentle infill), we give families more options, help people stay housed, and support local builders and trades. More homes in the right places also means shorter drives, cleaner air, and stronger blocks. In short, build a little on every street, and Tucson gets a lot more stable and affordable.

UIP is working to support a Homegrown ADU + Infill Industry by growing a localized infill housing ecosystem. Here's what that looks like:

Homeowners: Permit-ready plans, clear budgets, financing guidance, builder referrals, and a straight path from idea to completed ADU.
Builders & trades: A steady pipeline of backyard clients, predictable and repeatable projects, small-scale construction is a great learning environment for new workers.
Small local investors: A fast path for leveraging properties people already own, small-scale projects mean lower risk, capital for small-scale projects is attainable, and less risky for new investors. Another good learning environment.
Neighborhoods: Site-sensitive design that blends in, adds shade, cools heat islands, and puts more “eyes on the alley.” Micro-communities grow and thrive, revitalizing entire neighborhoods.
City & partners: UIP feeds real data and experiential information back to the City and County, and they respond with minor changes to ensure smooth transactions with permit applicants.

What this delivers:

Faster homes with minimal new infrastructure.
More choices (from studios to accessible two-bedrooms).
Stronger families through multigenerational and mortgage-stabilizing options.
Less rent pressure for families will slowly stabilize our rental market.

We've started and we'll keep going! Build more houses in more backyards...

In construction news:

We finished our first Desert Casita and just added finished photos of the build to our portfolio page. The Desert Casita is the newest addition to our Plan Library and is designed by our talented friends Kelsi Montgomery and Eric Nickerson. We absolutely love how unique this design is and it's wonderful to see how a few personal touches can make a model design come to life!
We have two in construction and one more about to start, more construction progress coming soon! Keep an eye on our portfolio page and social media accounts.

In business news:

Please check out our website as we continue to evolve and grow.
Our portfolio page now showcases updated photos of several complete builds and construction photos of a few new starts.
Our ADU resource page is home to our growing referral network of lenders, builders, subcontractors, and more.
We continue to keep our FAQ sheet up-to-date - it’s the go-to resource for answering many of the most common questions about building ADUs.
Our consultation feature is actively assisting customers, providing direct access to our expertise, and helping people navigate the new construction journey. We're excited to share that we also offer direct permitting assistance through UIP. These tools provide smoother project approvals and ease through permitting and building processes.

Local Planning Development:

Pima County is due for a zoning change that will include ADUs! A new house bill came down the pipeline, laying out requirements for county code amendments to include ADU construction. This will go into effect in January 2026.
City of Tucson is working on a new Missing Middle Housing zoning code change to further the potentials and opportunities for building infill housing. This, too will come into effect by January of 2026. Read more here.

NOTE: There will be a public hearing in front of Mayor and Council on October 15, 2025.

Please write a letter in support of the Missing Middle Housing bill and include support for having no set boundary and less regulation on residential development.

This bill supports the growth of a robust and localized infill-housing industry.
Strong local industry = varied housing options and increased affordability.

PlanningCommission@tucsonaz.gov

Calls to Action:

The weather is changing! It's time to get outside and appreciate our wonderful desert.

Go for a moonlit hike up Tumamoc or in Sabino Canyon
Visit the Farmers' Markets
Go walking around your neighborhood with a friend...or visit their neighborhood!
Painted Hills hike at lunch
October is filled with events...check out This is Tucson

Journal questions:

If you added a small home in your backyard, who would it serve first—family, caregiver, or a renter, and how would that change your month-to-month life?
What’s the #1 barrier keeping you from exploring an ADU (cost, permits, design, contractor, financing)? What info would remove it?
How would an ADU or small duplex add stability to your household budget or caregiving plan?
What design features (shade, privacy, alley lighting, native planting) would make added homes improve your block?
Feel free to share your answers with us! info@infillproject.com

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UIP is working to support a Homegrown ADU + Infill Industry by growing a localized infill housing ecosystem. Here's what that looks like:

Homeowners: Permit-ready plans, clear budgets, financing guidance, builder referrals, and a straight path from idea to completed ADU.

Builders & trades: A steady pipeline of backyard clients, predictable and repeatable projects, small-scale construction is a great learning environment for new workers.

Small local investors: A fast path for leveraging properties people already own, small-scale projects mean lower risk, capital for small-scale projects is attainable, and less risky for new investors. Another good learning environment.

Neighborhoods: Site-sensitive design that blends in, adds shade, cools heat islands, and puts more “eyes on the alley.” Micro-communities grow and thrive, revitalizing entire neighborhoods.

City & partners: UIP feeds real data and experiential information back to the City and County, and they respond with minor changes to ensure smooth transactions with permit applicants.

What this delivers:

Faster homes with minimal new infrastructure.

More choices (from studios to accessible two-bedrooms).

Stronger families through multigenerational and mortgage-stabilizing options.

Less rent pressure for families will slowly stabilize our rental market.

We've started and we'll keep going! Build more houses in more backyards...

In construction news:

We have two in construction and one more about to start, more construction progress coming soon! Keep an eye on our portfolio page and social media accounts.

In business news:

Please check out our website as we continue to evolve and grow.

Our portfolio page now showcases updated photos of several complete builds and construction photos of a few new starts.

Our ADU resource page is home to our growing referral network of lenders, builders, subcontractors, and more.

We continue to keep our FAQ sheet up-to-date - it’s the go-to resource for answering many of the most common questions about building ADUs.

Local Planning Development:

Pima County is due for a zoning change that will include ADUs! A new house bill came down the pipeline, laying out requirements for county code amendments to include ADU construction. This will go into effect in January 2026.

City of Tucson is working on a new Missing Middle Housing zoning code change to further the potentials and opportunities for building infill housing. This, too will come into effect by January of 2026. Read more here.

NOTE: There will be a public hearing in front of Mayor and Council on October 15, 2025.

Please write a letter in support of the Missing Middle Housing bill and include support for having no set boundary and less regulation on residential development.

This bill supports the growth of a robust and localized infill-housing industry.

Strong local industry = varied housing options and increased affordability.

PlanningCommission@tucsonaz.gov

Calls to Action:

The weather is changing! It's time to get outside and appreciate our wonderful desert.

Go for a moonlit hike up Tumamoc or in Sabino Canyon

Visit the Farmers' Markets

Go walking around your neighborhood with a friend...or visit their neighborhood!

Painted Hills hike at lunch

October is filled with events...check out This is Tucson

Journal questions:

If you added a small home in your backyard, who would it serve first—family, caregiver, or a renter, and how would that change your month-to-month life?

What’s the #1 barrier keeping you from exploring an ADU (cost, permits, design, contractor, financing)? What info would remove it?

How would an ADU or small duplex add stability to your household budget or caregiving plan?

What design features (shade, privacy, alley lighting, native planting) would make added homes improve your block?