Real estate investors in Arizona got some good news—two pro-housing bills just signed into law are set to accelerate development and increase housing supply. Here’s what you need to know:
🏗️ HB2447 – Speeding Up Approvals
Effective January 1, 2025, this bill empowers city staff—not just councils—to approve key development documents. This change will significantly cut red tape and reduce project delays.
Administrative approval now allowed for:
- Site & development plans
- Lot line adjustments, divisions, and ties
- Preliminary & final plats, design reviews
- Platt amendments
Other improvements:
- “At-risk” submittals allowed for preliminary grading/infrastructure
- Faster review for developers with strong compliance histories
🏢 HB2110 – Unlocking Commercial for Housing
This bill mandates that large cities (150,000+ residents) make at least 10% of their commercial, office, or mixed-use parcels eligible for adaptive reuse or redevelopment into multifamily housing.
Why this matters:
- Overrides anti-housing local policies like Scottsdale’s cap of just 1% conversion
- Immediately in effect, with a 90-day deadline for cities to update ordinances
🏘️ Why This Matters for Investors
- Faster timelines = better ROI: Less time waiting on permits means quicker leasing and sales
- More buildable land: Especially in areas with underutilized commercial space
- Stronger policy tailwinds: Bipartisan support shows serious commitment to solving the housing shortage
“The best way to tackle the state’s housing crisis is to make it easier to build more homes and apartments.”
— Courtney Gilstrap LeVinus, CEO, Arizona Multihousing Association