Senate Bill 1117 was approved by the Arizona Senate Commerce Committee on a 5-2 vote on February 8, 2023. This bill is touted as a way to address the state’s housing crisis but could have devastating impacts on many Arizona municipalities.
It would:
- Eliminate single-family zoning
- Allow new homes, duplexes and triplexes on very small lots in residential areas
- Ban localities from enforcing design standards
- Override some height restrictions
- Bypass current requirements that local planning boards review new proposals, and fast-track city approvals
- Remove the public engagement process completely
This legislation would not apply in areas that have CC&Rs.
According to the League of Arizona City and Town’s Frank Cassidy, “This is basically a nuclear option to allow a whole bunch of housing but not saying it has to be affordable housing. It is just a ‘trickle down’ argument for that.”
Municipalities of less than 25,000 are exempt from the Residential Zoning Districts and the Residential Housing Design Standards sections of SB 1117, but the remaining sections of the bill apply statewide. 38 municipalities in Arizona have a population of 25,000 or more and the entire bill applies to them.
If you wish to read the state staff analysis of the bill, CLICK HERE.
Keep Sedona Beautiful believes that this bill is another attempt by the Arizona State Legislature to strip localities of the ability to control their own destiny.
We urge you to contact your elected representatives to oppose SB1117. You can find contact information at: https://www.keepsedonabeautiful.org/contact-your-elected-officials/