The Oro Valley Town Council on Oct. 1 unanimously approved ordinance O25-06 to amend town code sections referencing the residential code and property-maintenance code, correcting two inconsistencies discovered after earlier code changes.

The ordinance clarifies that the permit threshold for small accessory structures remains 200 square feet and confirms an 18-inch standing-water depth standard in the property and maintenance code. Paul Melcher, the town’s community and economic development director, told council the building official flagged the conflicts after adoption of the new codes and recommended the corrections "because going down to 120 square feet ... then means the small 10 by 12 sheds then start requiring permits." Melcher said the other fix adjusts the threshold for standing water from 24 inches to the town standard of 18 inches.

Councilmember Green moved to adopt ordinance O25-06; Councilmember Murphy seconded. The measure passed 7-0.

Why it matters: the two edits are technical but affect how and when routine small structures and minor public-safety hazards are regulated. Melcher told the council the changes were intended to avoid creating an unintended permit burden for small sheds and to keep the town’s enforcement and safety thresholds consistent.

Council reaction and next steps: council members treated the changes as minor corrections and moved promptly to adopt the ordinance so staff could implement the clarified rules. No additional public testimony was recorded on the item.

The ordinance text, as adopted, amends town code section 6-1-7 (residential code references) and 6-1-10 (property and maintenance code references) to add two exceptions aligned with the 2024 International Residential Code Sections 105 and 106 and the revised 2024 International Property Maintenance Code section 303.2 on enclosures. The amended provisions take effect following the town’s adoption process.