Maricopa County moves to modernize 1969 zoning code; draft will add ADU, short-term rental rules

Maricopa County planning staff provided an update on an overhaul of the county's zoning ordinance, saying the project will condense outdated text, add graphics and land-use tables, and incorporate newly required accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations and short-term rental controls.

The county's existing zoning ordinance dates to 1969 and is heavily text based, planning staff said. Tom, a county planning staff presenter, said the modernization aims to make the code “usable, readable, user friendly, very clear to understand” and easier to navigate.

The proposal condenses chapters and land-use categories. Tom said staff consolidated 17 chapters into 14 and reduced the number of listed land uses from 201 to 137. The update introduces a single land-use table that will show whether a given use is allowed by right, allowed with a plan-of-development, allowed by special use permit, or allowed temporarily, with cross-references to any additional regulations.

State ADU requirements are driving part of the schedule. Tom said state statute requires counties to have regulations for accessory dwelling units by the end of the year. Under the statute Tom described, counties must allow at least one attached and one detached ADU on properties with a single-family home; for parcels of one acre or more,…