The legislation would prohibit municipalities from requiring a shared amenity that needs an HOA to maintain it.
PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate has passed legislation that would stop cities from interfering with a homeowner’s right to choose the features, structure and design of their home.
Senate Bill 1229 proposes overhauling how Arizona’s cities can regulate home designs and development standards. One of the bill’s provisions would prohibit municipalities from requiring a shared amenity that needs an HOA to maintain it.
The bill passed Wednesday in a 16-13 vote with support from Democrats and Republicans. Supporters of the legislation claim it is needed to increase housing affordability in the Grand Canyon State.
“The Legislature finds and determines that the citizens of this state continue to experience the significant detrimental effects of a severe crisis due to the shortage of available housing,” the bill’s language states. “It has become virtually impossible for many citizens of this state to achieve the American Dream of owning their own home. This statewide housing crisis is caused in part by highly-restrictive regulations.”
SB 1229 additionally prohibits cities from requiring screening, walls or fencing on residential properties. The bill would also set boundaries on how cities can regulate lot sizes and building setbacks.
“Both Senate Republicans and Democrats agree that the Arizona Starter Homes Act is a commonsense solution to help Arizona families, teachers, first responders, young professionals, and other working-class citizens who’ve been priced out of the housing market,” state Sen. Shawnna Bolick, R-District 2, said in a statement.
A rare mix of nine Republicans and seven Democrats voted together to advance the bill over the House, which could eventually help the bipartisan legislation avoid getting vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs.
State Sen. Analise Ortiz, a Democrat who voted for the bill, noted how people of her generation have been priced out of the Valley real estate market.
“At 31, I cannot afford to own a home where I was born and raised and currently govern,” Ortiz said in a statement. “This commonsense effort will ensure government regulations do not get in the way of a family’s ability to buy a home that fits their budget and their needs.”
The bill’s language can be found below:
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