Sierra Vista has demonstrated a strong commitment to economic growth by investing in the City’s infrastructure, pursuing and awarding grants, cutting red tape, and working directly with industry sector leaders, business owners, and developers.  With the help of our economic development commission, the City continues to engage and update its economic development strategy, keeping advancement top of mind.  The economic development team stands ready to answer general questions, assist with site selection, walk you through permitting, connect you with valuable resources, and guide you throughout your development project and throughout the life of your business.  Our Sierra Vista businesses are not just a cog in the economic engine, but unique and valued members of the community.

Business Forward Regulation

The City of Sierra Vista and the State of Arizona have made concerted efforts in recent years to create a business-friendly, minimalist regulatory environment by cutting red tape and by repealing overly burdensome regulations. Our commitment to reducing red tape and paperwork makes it considerably easier and more efficient for businesses to locate, expand, and start up in Sierra Vista.

Here's How:

• Free pre-submittal meetings for site development that help preempt concerns and prevent costly errors
• Free courtesy inspections of potential sites with the building inspector, fire marshal, and business liaison (520-439-2219)
• Staff is readily accessible at any time for questions or meetings
• Building permits can be efficiently submitted online
• Expedient plan reviews.  In Sierra Vista plans are moved into review the same day they are submitted with review times often being completed in less than a few weeks.
• Site development approvals occur administratively via a Development Review Committee (DRC) that includes staff reviewers and at least one Planning and Zoning Commission member.
• Architectural reviews are administrative as well and guidelines are flexible with the primary review being conducted in house by Community Development staff.
• Between 2015 and 2025, the City has made several code amendments to simplify development. Some of these include: expanding the range of permitted uses in General Commercial Districts, providing flexible parking considerations for shared parking arrangements, amending administrative setback processes for greater flexibility in Infill Incentive areas, simplified sign code, clear architectural design standards for commercial buildings, and streamlining the review and approval process for Conditional Use Permits, Rezonings, and text amendments eliminating legal ads and public hearing requirements.