Coconino County’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted Oct. 29 to recommend adoption of AM-25-002, a zoning‑ordinance amendment that implements Arizona’s HB2928 rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and to clarify deed‑restriction language for large parcels.

Under the state law and the proposed county amendment, residential parcels must allow one attached and one detached ADU in residential zoning districts. The county’s draft would also permit a second detached ADU on parcels of 1 acre or larger. The commission discussed whether that additional (third) unit should be deed‑restricted to rental as affordable housing. Staff told commissioners the deed restriction is optional under state statute and that if applied it would be recorded with the property and would prevent that unit from qualifying for a short‑term rental permit.

Commissioners debated trade-offs. Vice Chair Wilson and others argued that restricting the extra unit to an affordable‑rental covenant could discourage owners from building it and reduce overall housing supply; Commissioner Hayward and others said the county should try the deed‑restriction approach as a targeted tool to preserve affordable rental stock and guard against short‑term‑rental conversion. Several commissioners noted administrative overhead: deed restrictions require income‑verification and tracking if the county manages an affordability covenant.

County counsel proposed clarified wording to address commissioners’ concerns: staff recommended an “if‑then” formulation so the county would require a deed restriction only where the owner chooses to rent the second detached ADU; the deed restriction would not prevent the owner from using the unit personally or housing family members. The commission endorsed that clarified approach and voted unanimously to forward AM-25-002 to the Board of Supervisors with the clarified language. The motion to recommend approval was made by Commissioner Best and seconded by Commissioner Walsh.

Why it matters: AM-25-002 implements a statewide change requiring expanded ADU allowances and gives county decision‑makers local tools — including the option to require deed restrictions on certain larger parcels — to balance additional housing supply, neighborhood character and protections against short‑term rentals. Staff will present the commission’s recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for final action.

Follow-up: staff will incorporate the clarified “if‑then” deed‑restriction wording into the draft ordinance, include the county’s ADU model plans program information and return AM-25-002 to the Board per the commission’s recommendation.