2024 Arizona Zoning and Land Use Legislation

(As of February 13, 2024)

HB2518 municipalities; housing needs assessment; zoning

(Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix)

Requires municipalities to provide a 10% height or density bonus in specified zones near transit stops for multifamily housing developments with 20% affordable units. Exemptions include airports, military areas, historic districts, and tribal land. Reporting duty assigned to the Arizona Department of Housing. It also requires cities to approve or deny zoning cases within 180 days. 

Zoning Process Efficiency

Streamlines the administrative review of zoning applications by requiring municipalities to determine administrative completeness within 30 days and make an approval or denial decision within 180 days. This maintains the public hearing processes of planning and zoning commissions, ensuring transparency and adherence to existing procedures.

Housing Needs Assessment

Mandates municipalities to conduct a comprehensive housing needs assessment every five years, providing valuable data on population growth projections, the demand for residential housing across income levels, and the total housing production. This assessment equips cities and towns with crucial information to plan and address the diverse housing needs of their communities.

Incentives for Transit-Oriented Development

Encourages developments near light rail and streetcar stops by using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. This incentive promotes smart growth and contributes to the creation of affordable housing options, particularly in areas with convenient access to public transportation.