Bill > SB1118

This bill amends Arizona law to allow municipalities with a population of 75,000 or more to permit the development of "middle housing," which includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes, on lots zoned for single-family homes within a mile of the central business district and on at least 20% of new developments over ten acres. The bill specifies that municipalities cannot make it difficult to permit or build middle housing, restrict it to less than two floors, impose a floor area ratio of less than 50%, or have stricter review processes than for single-family homes, and it limits parking requirements to one space per unit. Importantly, this bill adds provisions allowing middle housing in historic areas if it's designed to be compatible with the historic character, and it clarifies that such developments may not be built on sites where a historically listed structure was demolished unless necessary due to a danger to public health, safety, or welfare, as certified by an engineer or building code official. If a municipality fails to adopt these regulations by January 1, 2026, middle housing will be allowed on all single-family zoned lots without limitations.