Bill > HB2371

This bill, known as the "Arizona Starter Homes Act," aims to reduce municipal restrictions on home design and development by establishing state-level preemption of local zoning and design regulations. Specifically, the bill prevents municipalities from interfering with home buyers' choices in home features, amenities, structure, and design, and prohibits municipalities from requiring shared amenities, screening walls, or private streets. For new residential developments of five or more acres, the bill limits municipalities' ability to impose restrictive requirements such as minimum lot sizes (capped at 1,500 square feet), minimum home square footage, lot coverage restrictions, and building setbacks. The legislation is explicitly framed as a response to Arizona's housing crisis, with the legislature asserting that property rights are fundamental and that overly restrictive municipal regulations impede homeownership. The bill does not override building, fire, or public health codes and does not apply to tribal lands or certain military airport zones. Importantly, the provisions only apply to developments constructed after the bill's effective date and primarily target municipalities with populations over 70,000 or those located on tribal lands. The underlying motivation is to make home construction more affordable and accessible by reducing local government barriers to development.

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https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82165