HB 2720
Initials SJ Page 1 Transmitted
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: GOV DP 6-3-0-0 | 3
rd
Read 46-14-0-0
Senate: FICO DPA 6-1-0-0 |3
rd
Read 17-11-2-0
Final Pass: 35-22-3-0
HB 2720: accessory dwelling units; requirements.
Sponsor: Representative Carbone, LD 25
Transmitted
Overview
Establishes requirements relating to accessory dwelling units.
History
Current statute enumerates the general powers of cities and towns. Municipalities have the
authority to buy, sell and lease property, provide for the construction or rehabilitation of
housing development projects or areas and issue building permits (A.R.S. Title 9, Chapter 4).
Provisions
1. Permits a municipality with a population exceeding 75,000 people to adopt regulations
that authorize on any lot or parcel where a single-family dwelling is allowed:
a) at least one attached and one detached accessory dwelling unit as a permitted use;
b) at least one additional detached accessory dwelling unit as a permitted use on a lot or
parcel that is one acre or more in size if at least one accessory dwelling unit on the lot
or parcel is a restricted-affordable dwelling unit; and
c) an accessory dwelling unit that is 75% of the gross floor area of a single-family
dwelling unit on the same lot or parcel or 1,000 square feet, whichever is smaller. (Sec.
1)
2. Restricts a municipality from:
a) prohibiting the use or advertisement of either a single-family dwelling or any
accessory dwelling unit located on the same lot or parcel as separately leased long-
term rental housing;
b) requiring a familial, marital, employment or other preexisting relationship between
an owner or occupant of a single-family dwelling and an occupant of an accessory
dwelling unit located on the same lot or parcel;
c) requiring that a lot or parcel accommodate an accessory dwelling unit with additional
parking or otherwise requiring fees instead of additional parking;
d) requiring an accessory dwelling unit to match the exterior design, roof pitch or
finishing materials of a single-family dwelling that is located on the same lot;
e) setting restrictions on an accessory dwelling unit that are more restrictive than a
single-family dwelling within the same zoning area regarding height, setbacks, lot
size or coverage or building frontage;
f) setting rear or side setbacks for an accessory dwelling unit more than five feet from
the property line;
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2720
Initials SJ Page 2 Transmitted
g) requiring improvements to public streets as a condition of allowance for an accessory
dwelling unit, unless it is affected by the construction of an accessory dwelling unit;
and
h) requiring a restrictive covenant pertaining to an accessory dwelling unit on a lot or
parcel zoned for residential use by a single-family dwelling. (Sec. 1)
3. Allows restrictive covenants, between private parties, concerning accessory dwelling
units. (Sec. 1)
4. Prohibits a municipality from conditioning a permit, license or use of an accessory
dwelling unit that adopts or implements a restrictive covenant between private parties.
(Sec. 1)
5. Permits a municipality to apply building codes, fire codes or public health and safety
regulations to an accessory dwelling unit. (Sec. 1)
6. Prohibits a municipality from requiring an accessory dwelling unit to comply with
commercial building code or to contain fire sprinklers. (Sec. 1)
7. Specifies that an accessory dwelling unit may not be built on top of a current or planned
public utility easement unless the property owner receives written consent from any
utility that is currently using the public utility easement or that may use the public utility
easement in the future. (Sec. 1)
8. Stipulates that accessory dwelling units are allowed on all lots or parcels zoned for
residential use in a municipality without any limits if a municipality fails to adopt
development regulations by January 1, 2025. (Sec. 1)
9. Declares that requirements relating to accessory dwelling units do not apply to lots or
parcels that are located:
a) on tribal land;
b) on land in the territory in the vicinity of a military airport or ancillary military facility;
c) on land in the territory in the vicinity of a Federal Aviation Administration
commercially licensed airport or a general aviation airport; or
d) on land in the territory in the vicinity of a public airport. (Sec. 1)
10. Requires the owner of a vacation or short-term rental to reside on the property if the
property contains an accessory dwelling unit that was constructed on or after the general
effective date and that is being used as a vacation or short-term rental. (Sec. 2)
11. Specifies that unless the statutory time period specified for action for just compensation
based on diminution in value has expired, the owner requirements do not apply to a
property owner who has the right to build an accessory dwelling unit on the property
owner's property before the general effective date whether or not the accessory dwelling
unit has been built. (Sec. 2)
12. Defines:
a) accessory dwelling unit;
b) gross floor area;
c) long-term rental;
d) municipality;
e) permitted use; and
f) restricted-affordable dwelling unit. (Sec. 1)
13. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 2)