The Abandonment Application, printed as Application for Abandonment of Public Right-of-Way, is the form Pima County Real Property Services uses when an adjoining property owner asks the county to abandon a public right-of-way. It is not a tax bill or tax payment: people who search for Pima County property tax will find that this form concerns right-of-way conveyance, although it asks for the Assessor's Tax Parcel number. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF is published by the county.
Last updated
What is Abandonment Application – Pima County, AZ?
The Abandonment Application, printed on the form as Application for Abandonment of Public Right-of-Way, is the Pima County Real Property Services form on which the owner of property next to a public right-of-way asks the county to abandon that right-of-way, supported by property details, proposed uses and attachments.
The form begins with the name of the street being abandoned. It states that, upon approval of the abandonment, the right of way will be conveyed to the adjoining owners of record by a "Quit Claim" deed. It then collects information about the applicant's adjoining property: owner's name, address or location, Assessor's Tax Parcel number(s), Section, Township and Range, subdivision name, pending rezoning, subdivision or development applications, current, past and proposed uses, utility providers and a representative or agent.
Three yes/no questions follow: whether the applicant owns property the county might exchange for the abandonment area, whether the applicant was the original grantor who conveyed the area to Pima County, and whether that conveyance was a dedication or was made for compensation.
The form lists five items to submit with it and five application conditions (A through E) covering surveys, sale of the right-of-way, notification of rejection, escrow services and the county's right to cancel. Pima County Real Property Services also handles Licenses for encroachments on county-owned roads; those use separate license applications, not this form.
Who needs to file Abandonment Application – Pima County, AZ?
Owners of property adjoining a public right-of-way in Pima County who want that right-of-way abandoned use this application. The form asks for details of the applicant's property next to the proposed abandonment area and states that, if approved, the right of way is conveyed to the adjoining owners of record.
- Joint or multiple applicants: each applicant's requested portion needs its own legal description and map.
- Representatives: item 11 lets you name a Representative / Agent with a name, mailing address, phone and email. The form has a single signature line for the applicant, with the wording "I / We" for the acknowledgment.
- Original grantors: the form asks whether you are the original grantor who conveyed the area to the county, because the conditions treat an "Abutting" owner who previously conveyed the right of way differently on sale terms.
- Property owners wanting an exchange: answer the exchange question and identify the parcel if you own property Pima County may want in exchange.
The form does not say who may sign for someone else beyond the representative block; ask Real Property Services if you are unsure.
When to file Abandonment Application – Pima County, AZ
Submit the application when you want Pima County to consider abandoning a public right-of-way next to your property; the form prints no filing deadline and no season. Gather the supporting items first, since the application is to be submitted with a statement of facts, conveyance documentation, a surveyor-stamped legal description and map, ownership verification and the processing fee.
Timing after submission is tied to the conditions printed on the form. The county may require a survey or other information, which you obtain at your own cost. If the Department of Transportation rejects the abandonment and it is not sent to the Board of Supervisors, you are notified by letter. If the Board approves, escrow arrangements follow. Pima County may cancel the abandonment at any time before closing or recording of the deed(s).
Documents you need
- A statement of pertinent facts and circumstances, with the reason(s) for the abandonment request.
- Documentation evidencing conveyance of the area to Pima County, such as a copy of a deed, agreement, development plan or recorded plat; if the conveyance was a dedication, attach a copy confirming it.
- If no conveyance documents are available: a litigation report from a Title company, attached to the application.
- A legal description and location map on an 8 ½ x 11 sheet identifying the proposed abandonment area; each legal description must be stamped or sealed by a Registered Land Surveyor.
- For joint or multiple applicants: a legal description and map for each applicant's requested portion of the abandonment area.
- Verification of ownership of the property adjoining the proposed abandonment area, such as a Title Report or recorded deed.
- If you answer Yes to owning exchange property: the Assessor's Tax Parcel number and a map identifying the parcel and/or lot.
How to fill out Abandonment Application – Pima County, AZ
Name the street being abandoned
At the top, write the name of the street being abandoned. Read the note that the right of way will be conveyed to adjoining owners of record by Quit Claim deed.
Enter owner and property details
Item 1: owner's name. Item 2: property address or location. Item 3: the Assessor's Tax Parcel number(s) of your property adjoining the abandonment area.
Give Section, Township and Range
Item 4: enter the Section, Township and Range. Item 5: write the subdivision or development name, or "None" if not applicable.
List pending applications
Item 6: state all applications for re-zoning, subdivision or development plans under review for the adjoining land, with Recording / Reference Number and Docket / Book and Page.
Describe current and proposed uses
Item 7: current and past uses of your property. Item 8: proposed use of your property. Item 9: proposed use of the abandonment area.
Identify utility providers
Item 10: write the provider for water, electric, gas, TV cable, telephone and sewer.
Add a representative or agent
Item 11: if someone acts for you, enter the name (last, first, middle initial), mailing address, phone and email.
Answer the exchange and grantor questions
Mark Yes or No for exchange property, for whether you were the original grantor, and Dedication or Compensation Received. For Yes on exchange, add the parcel number and map; for a dedication, attach confirming documentation.
Gather the required attachments
Assemble the statement of facts, conveyance documentation or title company litigation report, surveyor-stamped legal description and map, ownership verification and the processing fee.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Read Application Conditions A through E, then sign and date as applicant. Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF.
How to submit Abandonment Application – Pima County, AZ
The form names no submission channel, portal or appointment rule. Its letterhead identifies the office: Pima County Real Property Services, 201 N. Stone Ave. 6th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701-1215, telephone (520) 724-6313. Contact that office to confirm how and where to deliver the package.
Prepare one complete package:
- The completed application: every item filled in, signed and dated by the applicant, as the form says to complete the entire application.
- The four attachments: statement of facts, conveyance documentation (or a title company litigation report), legal description and location map, and verification of ownership.
- The processing fee: the form lists a non-refundable processing fee. It does not say how to pay or accept payment type; ask the office for payment instructions.
Further costs can follow: the sale price of the right-of-way, where one applies, is in addition to the processing fee, and the applicant is charged for escrow and title insurance fees if those services are used, as in exchanges. If the Department of Transportation rejects the request and it does not go to the Board of Supervisors, the county notifies you by letter. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving items blank: the form says to complete the entire application, and writing "None" is the stated answer for item 5 when there is no subdivision or development name.
- Submitting a legal description that is not stamped or sealed by a Registered Land Surveyor, or that is not on an 8 ½ x 11 sheet.
- Omitting conveyance documentation without attaching a litigation report from a Title company, which is required when no documents are available.
- Providing one legal description and map for several applicants instead of one for each applicant's requested portion.
- Answering Yes to the exchange question without giving the Assessor's Tax Parcel number and a map of the parcel.
- Marking the conveyance as a dedication without attaching a deed, agreement, development plan, recorded plat or similar documentation.
- Leaving out the non-refundable processing fee, or assuming it is the only cost: any sale price is in addition, and escrow and title insurance fees are charged to the applicant.
- Not listing pending rezoning, subdivision or development applications for the adjoining land under item 6.
- Submitting the form without the applicant's signature and date acknowledging the conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Abandonment Application in Pima County?
It is the Application for Abandonment of Public Right-of-Way, a Pima County Real Property Services form. An owner of adjoining property uses it to ask the county to abandon a right-of-way; if approved, the right of way is conveyed to adjoining owners of record by Quit Claim deed.
Is the Abandonment Application a Pima County property tax form?
No. It does not report, appeal or pay property tax. It concerns abandonment of a public right-of-way, though it asks for your Assessor's Tax Parcel number to identify the adjoining property.
Is there a fee to apply for abandonment in Pima County?
Yes. The form lists a non-refundable processing fee, and any sale price of the right-of-way is in addition to it. Escrow and title insurance fees are charged to the applicant when those services are used. Call (520) 724-6313 for the current amounts and payment method.
What documents do I attach to the abandonment application?
Attach a statement of facts, conveyance documentation (or a title company litigation report if none exists), a legal description and map stamped or sealed by a Registered Land Surveyor, and verification of ownership, such as a Title Report or recorded deed.
Who buys an abandoned right-of-way in Pima County?
Under the state law cited on the form, it must be sold to the adjoining owners or the highest bidder. Exceptions apply for a homeowner's association or an "Abutting" owner who previously conveyed it, who pays the consideration the county paid for the land.
Can someone else apply for me?
Item 11 lets you name a Representative / Agent with contact details, but the form has one signature line for the applicant. It does not describe other signing authority, so confirm with Real Property Services at (520) 724-6313.
Can the county cancel an abandonment after I apply?
Yes. Pima County reserves the right to cancel the abandonment at any time before closing or recording of the deed(s). If the Department of Transportation rejects it and it is not sent to the Board of Supervisors, you are notified by letter.
Can I fill out the abandonment application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent, is not connected to Pima County and does not submit the application; delivery follows the county's instructions.
Ready to fill out Abandonment Application – Pima County, AZ?
Fill out Abandonment Application – Pima County, AZ now