By Thomas Galvin, Maricopa County Supervisor and Rose Law Group Partner
For The Arizona Republic
Despite continued high costs and low supply, the housing affordability crisis has received either short shrift or lip service at the state level. This past year, Maricopa County leaders addressed residents’ concerns by overhauling its zoning ordinance, garnering national attention.
Maricopa County achieves results on public safety, lowering taxes, fostering economic development and now, housing affordability. In my chairman’s address just one year ago, I called for an aggressive overhaul of the county zoning ordinance as part of a broader effort to promote prosperity in the Valley.
Zoning reforms may not make headlines, but they shape the cost of housing, set the pace of development, and influence the character of our communities. For decades, Maricopa County operated with a confusing, outdated, and unnecessarily complex zoning ordinance. It was time to revise, update, and modernize the regulatory framework to reflect our community’s needs.
The new ordinance was designed by residents and local experts during a lengthy public process, including stakeholder meetings with more than many participants, extensive public hearings, and hundreds of online comments.
The result is a better, more streamlined zoning code that removes red tape without sacrificing safety, improves clarity, and expands housing options, while respecting the charm and appeal of our neighborhoods.
