ADU rules in Lake Havasu City, AZ — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Arizona SB-1161 (2024) preempts municipalities with populations over 75,000, requiring them to permit accessory dwelling units on single-family lots and limiting restrictive zoning, owner-occupancy, and parking mandates.
Codified at ARS 9-461.18, SB-1161 forces qualifying cities to allow at least one attached and one detached ADU on any lot zoned for single-family use. Cities cannot require owner occupancy, mandate more than one parking space per ADU, impose lot sizes greater than the principal-dwelling minimum, or charge unrelated impact fees. ADUs up to 1,000 square feet or 75% of the primary dwelling (whichever is less) must be allowed by-right. Restrictions on short-term rental of ADUs are permitted, but blanket bans on long-term rental are not.
Municipal denials inconsistent with SB-1161 are subject to civil action and reversal. Property owners may seek declaratory relief and attorney's fees if a city violates the statute.
See how Lake Havasu City's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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