The proposed SB1117 bill aims to address housing supply and affordability in Arizona by implementing new regulations and modifying existing ones related to residential zoning and housing design standards. Key provisions include prohibiting municipalities with populations over 30,000 from setting restrictive minimum lot sizes, widths, and setbacks, and from banning accessory dwelling units and certain manufactured homes. The bill also streamlines the rezoning process to residential use, requiring municipalities to adopt amendments to their zoning ordinances by January 1, 2024, and to conduct housing needs assessments with annual reporting on housing proposals and approvals. Exemptions are provided for smaller municipalities, tribal lands, and historic areas.

Additionally, the bill restricts municipalities from enforcing regulations on residential housing design elements, allowing applicants to challenge such regulations in court. It sets forth conditions for municipalities to follow when issuing licenses and considering the impact of approval delays on housing supply and cost. The bill also simplifies the approval process for land development and building construction by deeming applications approved if not acted upon within a specified timeframe, with certain exceptions. It requires municipalities to refund fees if they fail to act within the established timeframe, again with some exceptions. The bill includes various technical and conforming changes to existing law and becomes effective on the general effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-476
Senate Engrossed Version: 9-462.01, 9-462.03, 9-462.04, 9-462.10, 9-463.01, 9-469, 9-500.49, 9-831, 9-832, 9-834, 9-835, 11-812, 11-817, 3-112, 49-141, 49-247, 3-111, 9-461.16, 36-2061, 28-8461, 19-142, 9-463.05, 32-2101, 45-402, 45-576, 45-108, 45-561, 45-108.02, 45-108.03, 9-463, 1-301, 12-348, 9-833, 9-836, 9-837, 12-820.01, 12-820.02