Maricopa County has approved a revised zoning ordinance intended to make housing development more flexible and to address new technologies. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for the changes, which update regulations that have been in place for decades.
Board Chairman Thomas Galvin, District 2, said, “Zoning decisions at the county level can have a significant impact on quality of life—from individual homeowners or renters to major companies looking to bring their business here. The changes we’ve made will facilitate greater housing options, provide clarity for projects of all types, and protect the integrity of our communities. I am grateful to the task force members who guided this process, the stakeholders who provided input, and the Planning and Development staff who put their time, energy, and expertise into getting the details right.”
Galvin had previously called for an overhaul of the zoning ordinance as part of efforts to improve housing availability and affordability. More than 160 people took part in stakeholder meetings over nearly six months. Community feedback was collected through public meetings and an online survey.
Key updates include allowing multiple accessory dwelling units with single-family homes in line with state law; permitting short-term rentals with certain limits; removing some requirements for smaller multi-family residential projects; streamlining Temporary Use Permit approvals; clarifying definitions related to new technologies such as Battery Energy Storage Systems and Data Centers; eliminating some restrictions in various zoning districts; updating sections on drainage and compliance; and consolidating land use categories from 201 down to 137.
The updated ordinance also removes 53 pages—about 15,000 words—from its previous version. New tables and charts are included for easier reference by developers. The full document is available on the Planning and Development Department’s website.
Recent data shows that Maricopa County faces challenges in education outcomes: during the 2023-24 school year, only about 36% of students in grades three through eight passed the mathematics section of statewide assessments (https://www.azed.gov/), while roughly 33.9% of high schoolers passed math on standardized tests (https://www.azed.gov/). These statistics highlight ongoing needs within the community as it adapts regulations affecting growth.
A summary video presentation by Planning and Development Department leadership is available detailing these zoning changes.
