Lennar example of nextgen casita
By Taylor Seely | Arizona Republic
Phoenix announced its plan for legalizing backyard casitas, duplexes and triplexes in an effort to combat Arizona’s affordable housing shortage.
City officials shared the information to a subset of City Council members at a public meeting June 28. It was the first time officials shed light on the policy, which has been in the works since the city passed its Housing Phoenix Plan in June 2020. The plan aims to add or preserve 500,000 housing units by 2030 and highlights policy priorities, such as legalizing casitas.
City law currently allows structures such as storage sheds in residential backyards, but those that include plumbing for livability are only allowed in certain areas. The new measure would allow full-fledged living units in residential areas citywide, so long as they are accompanying a singe-family home. The law also adds definitions for duplexes and triplexes to distinguish them from casitas, otherwise known as accessory dwelling units or ADUs.
Supporters hail casitas as a way to combat the housing shortage by allowing for increased density. More housing options combined with the smaller size of casitas should result in cheaper living options, they say.
ADUs are sometimes called granny flats or in-law flats for their widespread use as a way to house aging family members. Other uses include offering a small apartment-style setting to young adults out of high school or college but who are unable to afford an apartment or home of their own.
“If this passes in September, Phoenix property owners will now have an ability to optimize their property value through the development of a small stand alone unit and help alleviate the housing shortage all at once.” Jordan Rose, founder and president of Rose Law Group
