By Cassie Kresin | Independent Newsmedia
Arizona’s effort to ease the housing shortage is backfiring, Gilbert officials say — and getting in the way of local planning.
In May 2024, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2720 into law, which allows up to two casitas on every single-family residential property in cities in Arizona. This bill was meant to create more long-term rental opportunities that would help mitigate the Arizona housing shortage.
The bill has facilitated an increase in short-term rentals in Phoenix suburbs and frustrated municipal governments.
It has no components that restrict the use of casitas as short-term rentals, which is what keeps the new houses from helping with the housing shortage, Councilmember Jim Torgeson said.
