The Comprehensive Guide to Phoenix Zoning Reform
Understanding the 2024 updates: How the city is attempting to balance explosive growth, housing affordability, and industrial demand through systemic zoning changes.
Phoenix's zoning code, largely unchanged since the sprawling expansions of the 1980s, underwent a radical overhaul in early 2024. The changes are designed to combat the housing crisis by increasing density while simultaneously streamlining industrial approvals to capitalize on the semiconductor boom.
1. The ADU Legalization
Perhaps the most publicly debated change was the blanket legalization of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), commonly known as casitas or mother-in-law suites, across all single-family residential zones (R1).
- Max Size: 1,000 square feet or 75% of the primary dwelling's size (whichever is smaller).
- Setbacks: Reduced rear and side setbacks (down to 3 feet in some instances).
- Parking: No additional off-street parking required if located within 0.5 miles of high-frequency transit.
2. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Overlays
Along the expanding light rail corridors (specifically the South Central and Northwest extensions), the city implemented aggressive density bonuses to encourage "missing middle" and high-rise development.
The Walkable Urban (WU) Code Expansion:
Developers can bypass height restrictions and parking minimums in WU zones if they commit to dedicating at least 15% of units to workforce housing (targeted at 80% Area Median Income).
3. Industrial Expeditions (SHALO)
As detailed in our commercial zoning coverage, the Sky Harbor Adjacent Logistics Overlay allows rapid upgrading from Light (A-1) to Heavy (A-2) industrial zoning, cutting the approval process from 9 months down to 60 days.
Zoning Change Impact Projection
Projected unit additions by housing type over the next 5 years resulting from the 2024 code changes.