Goodyear's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Goodyear, Arizona, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Shed & Carport Rules

Goodyear requires a permit for any accessory building or shed that will be lived in, attached to the house, larger than 200 square feet, or wired for plumbing or electricity. Detached sheds up to 6 feet tall need only a 3-foot side and 5-foot rear setback, that buffer grows a foot for every foot of extra height, and no residential accessory structure can exceed 12 feet unless it matches the main house's setbacks.

Key details: Permit trigger: Livable space, attached, >200 sq ft, or has utilities. Rear setback (up to 6 ft tall): 3 ft side, 5 ft rear. Setback growth: +1 ft per ft of height over 6 ft. Height cap: 12 ft unless matching principal building. Separation from house: 6 ft (fire-rated) or 10 ft (not).

Building a shed or accessory structure without the required permit, or inside the setback that applies to its height, violates Zoning Ordinance Article 7. The City can levy a civil sanction of $100 to $1,000 per offense or pursue a class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to a $2,500 fine and six months in jail, and it can order the structure abated and recover its removal costs from the property owner if the violation isn't corrected.

ADU Rules

Goodyear allows one attached and one detached Accessory Dwelling Unit per single-family lot, plus a second detached unit on lots of an acre or more if it's deed-restricted as affordable housing. An ADU needs only a 5-foot side and rear setback, but its front setback, height, and lot coverage must match the main house, and its floor area is capped at 75 percent of the house's size or 1,000 square feet, whichever is smaller.

Key details: Units allowed: 1 attached + 1 detached per lot. Extra unit condition: 1 more detached ADU if lot ≥1 acre + affordable deed. Max size: 75% of house or 1,000 sq ft, whichever less. Side/rear setback: 5 feet. Front setback/height/coverage: Must match principal house.

Building a second detached ADU without the required deed restriction, exceeding the 1,000-square-foot/75-percent cap, or placing an ADU inside the Luke Air Force Base noise contour violates Zoning Ordinance Article 7. The City can pursue a civil sanction of $100 to $1,000 per offense or a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,500 in fines and six months in jail, and can require the unit be brought into compliance or removed.

The Bottom Line

Goodyear's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Goodyear is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Goodyear's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.