Accessory Structures in Glendale, AZ (2026)
9 verified accessory structures rules for Glendale, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Glendale permits accessory dwelling units on single-family residential lots under its Unified Development Code (Chapter 35). Detached ADUs are capped at 1,200 square feet. Attached ADUs cannot exceed half the size of the primary dwelling or 1,200 square feet, whichever is smaller. ADUs must meet the same setback requirements as the primary single-family dwelling on the lot. Arizona HB 2720 (2024) further codified statewide ADU rights, limiting local barriers to ADU construction.
Glendale ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Rules
Some RestrictionsADU Permits
Glendale permits accessory dwelling units by-right under Arizona Revised Statutes section 9-461.18, enacted by HB 2720 in 2024 and effective for cities over 75,000 population on or before January 1, 2025. Glendale (population approximately 250,000) is subject to the mandate. Glendale City Council adopted ADU amendments to the Uniform Development Code (Chapter 35) on December 10, 2024. Single-family lots may have one detached and one attached ADU; lots over one acre may add a third.
Glendale ADU Permit Requirements
Few RestrictionsADU Impact Fees
Ariz. Rev. Stat. section 9-461.18 prohibits Glendale from imposing street impact fees on accessory dwelling units and limits other fees that could undermine the state by-right mandate. Standard building permit and plan review fees apply, scaled to construction valuation. Water and sewer development fees apply because Glendale requires a separate water meter and tap for every ADU, generating new connection charges that ordinary internal conversions in other cities avoid.
Glendale ADU Impact Fees
Some RestrictionsADU Owner Occupancy
Glendale may not require owner-occupancy as a condition of building or operating an accessory dwelling unit. Arizona Ariz. Rev. Stat. section 9-461.18 (HB 2720) preempts owner-occupancy mandates for cities over 75,000 population. Glendale's December 10, 2024 amendments to the Uniform Development Code (Chapter 35) implement the state preemption. Investor-owned ADUs are permitted on single-family lots.
Glendale ADU Owner-Occupancy Rules
Few RestrictionsADU Rental Restrictions
Glendale ADUs may be rented for long-term and short-term stays. Ariz. Rev. Stat. section 9-461.18 prohibits Glendale from banning short-term rental of ADUs as a category. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) must be licensed under Glendale City Code Section 29.1-41, effective January 2023. Licenses are annual, non-transferable, and capped under state law at $250. Operators must maintain a 24/7 contact and a Transaction Privilege Tax license.
Glendale ADU Rental and Short-Term Rental Rules
Some RestrictionsShed Rules
Glendale allows small storage sheds on residential property. Sheds under 200 square feet and 8 feet tall or less generally do not require a building permit but must still comply with setback requirements. Larger sheds require a building permit. All accessory structures, including sheds, are limited to 50% of the primary building's floor area in most residential districts.
Glendale Shed and Storage Building Rules
Few RestrictionsGarage Conversions
Converting a garage to living space in Glendale requires a building permit and must comply with the International Residential Code as adopted by the city. The conversion must meet habitable room standards including egress windows, insulation, electrical, and plumbing. Replacement off-street parking may be required depending on the zoning district. Garage conversions may also be subject to ADU regulations if the space becomes a separate dwelling unit.
Glendale Garage Conversion Rules
Some RestrictionsCarport Rules
Carports in Glendale are regulated under the Unified Development Code (Chapter 35) as accessory structures. A building permit is required for carport construction. Carports must comply with setback requirements of the applicable zoning district and cannot exceed lot coverage maximums. Accessory structures, including carports, generally cannot exceed half the floor area of the primary building.
Glendale Carport Regulations
Some RestrictionsTiny Homes
Tiny homes on permanent foundations may be permitted in Glendale as ADUs under the Unified Development Code, subject to the International Residential Code. Tiny homes on wheels are classified as recreational vehicles and cannot serve as primary or permanent residences on residential lots. Arizona's 2024 ADU legislation (HB 2720) expanded options for smaller dwelling units on single-family lots statewide.
Glendale Tiny Home Regulations
Some RestrictionsLooking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Glendale city rules.
Accessory Structures in Maricopa County →