The City of Tucson has a charter form of government, with an appointed city manager, elected six-member City Council, and elected mayor. Tucson is the county seat of Pima County. Pima County has an elected five-member Board of Supervisors.

Town Hall of Oro Valley, 520.229.4700
www.ci.oro-valley.az.us

Pima County Courts,  520.882.0044

Voter Registration & Pima County Recorder's Office, 520.740.4330

Dehydration 
In Tucson's dry air, the human body continuously loses a certain quantity of water -- up to 2 quarts per hour with heavy sweating, or one quart per hour just walking in 100-degree heat. Don't be fooled, just because you aren't thirsty doesn't mean you don't need water. Drink water all day long, especially before, during and after exercise. Drinks without sugar are absorbed fastest by the body. Caffeine dehydrates the body, so choose caffeine-free drinks. Do as the locals do, make water your drink of choice. 

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

The state of Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time. April through October, our time in Arizona is the same as Pacific Standard Time (three hours later than Eastern Standard Time). November through March, Arizona is the same as Mountain Standard Time ( two hours later than Eastern Standard Time).

TAXES

The state collects 5.6%, and the City of Tucson, Oro Valley and Marana collect an additional 2% on all sales except groceries and prescriptions. Gas, electric, water and telephone bills include the 2% city sales tax and some include an additional 2% public-utility tax. The state personal income tax rates for the year 2000 ranged from 2.8 to 5.04% based on income. For individual and corporate tax information, call 800.352.4090. For sales tax and withholding information, call 800.843.7196, or visit http://www.revenue.state.az.us/

HOSPITALS

Northwest Medical Center
6200 N. La Cholla Blvd.           520.742.9000

St. Mary's Hospital
1601 W. St. Mary's Rd.
520.872.3000

Tucson Heart Hospital
4888 N. Stone Ave.                 520.696.2328

Tucson VA Medical Center
3610 S 6th Ave.
520.792.1450

URGENT CARE

Northwest Medical Center Urgent Care
2945 W. Ina Rd
13101 N. Oracle Rd.                 520.469.8295

PUBLIC PARKS

Canada del Oro Riverfront
551 W. Lambert Lane
520.229.5050

Tohono Chul Park
520.742.6455

7366 N. Paseo del Norte
520.575.8468

Rillito River Park
Along Rillito River from ?????
La Cholla Blvd.
520.740.2690

Sentinel Peak Park
1000 S. Sentinel Peal Rd.

TRANSPORTATION

Tucson has a few driving laws that confuse and surprise newcomers. Be forewarned that: In the city, on weekdays from 7am to 9am and from 4pm to 6pm, the center or left-turn lane on one major east-west thoroughfare (Grant Rd.) becomes a one-way traffic lane. A right-hand turn on a red light is legal unless otherwise noted. Some major streets have single left-turn lanes in the middle of the road for left turns from both directions. At intersections using the green arrow for left-hand turns, it usually comes after not before, the solid green light. Children under 5 years old must ride in car seats. Arizona law requires motorcycle riders 18 years old and younger to wear helmets. The City of Tucson and Pima County require bicycle riders 17 years old and younger to wear helmets. Arizona has some of the strictest DUI (drunk driving) laws in the nation, with mandatory jail sentences, fines, license suspensions, and demerit points that can result in revocation of the driver's license.

HMOs

Blue Cross/Blue Shield, 520.745.1615

CIGNA HealthCare of AZ, 520.571.0111

Healthnet of AZ,  800.289.2818

PacifiCare, 520.748.8900

Pima Healthcare System:      520.512.5500                               520.748.8900                               888.290.4747

University Physicians’ Healthcare Group, 520.321.7295

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE

Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, 520.882.0899 

Integrative Medicine, 520.626.7599

Providence Institute, 520.323.0203

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS

StarNet
520.573.4667
www.azstarnet.com

Dakota Communications
520.745.3900
www.dakotacom.net

Gain Communications      520.388.9100
www.gci-net.com

The River Internet Access 520.745.1009
www.theriver.com 

AUTO REGISTRATION

If you reside in Arizona more than 7 months in one calendar year, you must title and register your vehicle in Arizona. 

An emissions test (if required), certificate of title, and proof of insurance are necessary. Fees vary. 

First, get your emissions tested. Call 1.800.284.7748 for the center nearest you. After your car passes the emissions test, go to one of the five Motor Vehicle Division office locations. Call 520.629.9808.

HOME HEALTH CARE

Here are a few nursing agencies which provide home nursing, companions who can help with meals and light household duties, to registered nurses and specialists in physical rehabilitation and other therapies:

Carondelet Home Health, 520.721.3822

Dependable Nurses Inc., 520.795.1290

Gentiva Health Services, 520.731.1333

Interim Health Care, 520.747.1800

Soleus Health Care Svcs, 520.722.0555
University Medical Center
Home Health Care, 520.694.4663

CABLE TV

Comcast Communications      520.744.1900

Comcast serves Pima County residents including Marana and Oro Valley.

DRIVER'S LICENSES

If you reside in Arizona more than seven months, you are required to get an Arizona driver's license. 

For general information, call 520.629.9808 or visit www.azdot.gov/mvd/

SENIOR RESOURCES

University of Arizona Extended University SAGE Society (Senior's through Achievement and Growth Education), 520.626.9039
www.eu.arizona.edu/seniors/sage.html 

Pima Community College, Senior Education Program, 520.206.6579

RECYCLING

Curbside recycling is offered citywide for single-family dwellings and apartments of four units or less. Special bins are delivered to residents, with instructions and schedules for their use.  The City of Tucson, Pima County, and Tucson Clean and Beautiful have initiated RETHINKIT, a community-wide campaign encouraging residents to rethink what they buy, use and throw away. All recyclers accept 7 basic items. Call 520.791.5000 for details.

BICYCLE COMMUTING

Tucson was voted "Third Best City for Cycling in North America" in 1999 by Bicycling Magazine. Learn more about state bicycle laws and safety tips:

City of Tucson, Alternate Modes - 520.791.4372

Regional Bicycle Coordinator -    520.628.5313

Pima Association of Governments Travel Reduction Program - 520.792.1093

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Tucson Pima Public Library

Nanini Branch
7300 N. Shannon Rd.
520.791.4626

Catalina Branch
15631 N. Oracle Road
520.825.9541

Oro Valley Public Library
1305 W. Naranja Dr
520.229.5300

WEATHER / ROADS

Tune to 162.40 MHz-FM or Comcast Communications Channel 30 for continuous local, regional and national weather. Or phone: 

NWS Weather Info Line, 520.881.3333

National Weather Service, 520.670.6526 www.wrh.noaa.gov/tucson

Road conditions (recording),  888.411.7623

Pima County Sheriff's Dept. Road Info Line (recording),  520.547.7510

PETS 

Dog Licenses - Dog licenses are required annually and can be obtained at: Pima Animal Control Center, 520.743.7666. Rabies vaccinations are required for dogs before licensing. 

Dog Leash Law - Tucson's leash law requires a dog to be confined within the owner's property unless the animal is on a leash six feet or shorter, with a person on the other end. Letting your dog roam free can cost between $50 and $750.

Heat & Your Pets - Pets need a period of adjustment to this climate. Always make sure your pet has an adequate supply of fresh water and shade when left outside. Never leave your pet in a parked car. The outside temperature, coupled with the car temperature can reach levels of heat capable of killing your pet within minutes.

EDUCATION

University of Arizona, 520.621.2211

Pima Community College, 520.206.4500

University of Phoenix, 520.881.6512

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Arizona's legal drinking age is 21. Liquor may not be purchased or served from 1am - 6am Monday through Saturday and from 1am-10am on Sunday.

Friends of Animals, 203.656.1522
www.friendsofanimals.org

Pima Animal Control, 520.743.7550

POST OFFICES

Call 1-800-275-8777 for all below:

Oro Valley Station
11900 N. La Canada Drive

Mountain View Station
315 W. Valencia Rd.

Casas Adobes Station
6281 N. Oracle Rd.

ANIMAL RESCUE

For help with pets or wild animals that are stuck, sick or injured, call:

Animal Experts, 520.531.1020
Tucson Wildlife HelpLine, 520.792.3947

For information and assistance with wild animals (including coyotes, javelinas, snakes, etc.) contact:

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 
520.883.1380  www.desertmuseum.org

Arizona Game & Fish Dept.
  520.628.5376  www.gf.state.az.us

For Injured animals call:
Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, 520.792.3947

For more important phone numbers, click here.