Development Services Administration

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Glossary of Common Development Services Terminology
Items that are underlined have attachments.  Click on the item to open its attachment.

Addition / Alteration: An extension or increase of floor area or building height or any change or modification in construction, occupancy or intended use.
Block Plat: A plat composed of one or more blocks where each block is also one lot.
Board of Adjustment: An appointed board of seven members with the power to grant variances, code interpretations, non-forming uses, and other relief from certain provisions of Marana Land Development Code. Board Members are selected and approved by the Mayor and Town Council.
Carrying Capacity: The level of use that can be accommodated and continued without irreversible damage to natural or human resources, the ecosystem, and the quality of air, land and water.
Conditional Use Permit: Pursuant to the zoning ordinance, a conditional use permit (CUP) may authorize uses not routinely allowed on a particular site. CUP’s require a public hearing by the Board of Adjustment and if approval is granted, are usually subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions by the developer. Approval of a CUP is not a change in zoning. Some common conditional uses in a single-family residential zone are public utilities, schools, churches and community centers.
Development Agreement: Agreement between the developers/investors in a prospective project as to how development costs are to be allocated, and decisions to be taken on the project.
Development Plan: A drawing of a project site that provides detailed information which shows how a proposed project will be developed in compliance with Town regulations.
Easement: A right granted by the owner of land to another party for specific limited use of that land. For example, a property owner may give or sell an easement on property to allow utilities to reach a neighbor’s home or to allow access to other property.
Floodplain: A plain bordering a river and subject to flooding.
General Plan: Master planning document that establishes a guide for the future planning of the Town.
General Plan Amendment:  All proposed rezonings must be consistent with the intent of the General Plan.  If not, the applicant is required to receive approval for an amendment to the General Plan.
Grading: To level or smooth to a desired or horizontal gradient.
Grading: Type 1: "Minor" grading.  Click for more information or to see if your project falls under the Type 1 classification.
Grading: Type 2: "Major" grading, such as for a subdivision or new development.  Type 2 Checklist; Type 2 Grading Permit Approval Process.
Impact Fee / Development Impact Fee: A fee or tax imposed on developers to help pay for the community’s costs of providing services to a new development.
Inspection Record: The card a customer receives with his/her building permit. The inspector will sign off on the inspection card each time an inspection is approved.
MEP: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing
Planning & Zoning Commission: An advisory body that holds public hearings and study sessions and makes recommendations to the Mayor and Council on development-related issues such as general plan amendments, rezoning, land development code ordinances, design guidelines, utilities, and transportation.  Additional information.
Plat: A map representing a subdivision of a parcel of land into lots, blocks, and streets or other divisions and dedications. A preliminary plat is an approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots, blocks, and restrictive covenants to be applicable to the subdivision. A final plat is the final drawing of the subdivision prepared for filing for record with the county auditor and containing all requirements set forth in applicable state and local regulations.
Rezoning: A change in the designation or boundaries of the zoning ordinance.
Right-of-Way: The right to pass over the property of another, usually referring to the land required for traffic lanes plus shoulders on both sides of highways, railroads, bikeways, and hiking trails. 
Setback: The minimum required distance between the property line and the building line.
Site Plan: A plan which outlines the use and development of any tract of land.
SWPPP: Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.
Tenant Improvement (TI): Changes to the interior of a commercial building that do not add square footage.
Valuation: The process of determining the value of a structure. The future usefulness of a property is the source of any value it may have. 
Variance: A relaxation of the terms of a zoning ordinance or another regulatory document in order to avoid unnecessary hardships to a landowner. A variance usually deals with some measurable physical requirements such as height, bulk, or setbacks and is based upon a finding that such relaxation will not be contrary to public interest (as determined by the Board of Adjustment).
Zoning Ordinance: The local law adopted by the governing body to assure orderly development according to specific standards established for the general public welfare and to implement the comprehensive plan.