ADU Owner Occupancy: Gilbert vs Glendale
How do adu owner occupancy rules compare between Gilbert, AZ and Glendale, AZ?
Gilbert and Glendale have similar restriction levels.
Gilbert, AZ
Maricopa County
Gilbert previously required owner-occupancy as a condition of casita approval, but Arizona HB 2720 (ARS 9-461.18) preempts owner-occupancy requirements in cities over 75,000 population. Gilbert may no longer condition ADU permits on the owner residing on-site. HOA CC&Rs may still impose restrictions, subject to limits under ARS 33-1817.
View full Gilbert rules →Glendale, AZ
Maricopa County
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.
View full Glendale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Gilbert | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Preempted by HB 2720 | - |
| Effective Date | January 1, 2025 | - |
| HOA CC&Rs | Limited by ARS §33-1817 | - |
| Rentable | Both units now | - |
| State Preemption | - | Ariz. Rev. Stat. 9-461.18 (HB 2720) |
| Owner-Occupancy | - | Not required |
| Glendale Code Amendment | - | Dec 10, 2024 |
| Investor Use | - | Permitted |
| Occupant Limits | - | Cannot be city-restricted beyond IBC load |
| HOA Restrictions | - | Limited by state preemption |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Gilbert FAQ
Does Gilbert require owner-occupancy for a casita?
No, not since January 1, 2025. ARS 9-461.18 preempts owner-occupancy requirements in cities over 75,000 population. Gilbert removed the requirement from its Land Development Code.
Can my Gilbert HOA require me to live on-site to have an ADU?
Possibly through CC&Rs, but HOA authority is limited by ARS 33-1817 which prohibits unreasonable HOA restrictions on lawfully created ADUs. Review your CC&Rs and consult an attorney before relying on the statute.
Glendale FAQ
Does Glendale require me to live on the property to have an ADU?
No. Arizona Revised Statutes section 9-461.18 (HB 2720) prohibits Glendale from requiring owner-occupancy as a condition for building or operating an accessory dwelling unit. Glendale's December 10, 2024 amendments to the Uniform Development Code implement this preemption. Investor-owners may build and rent both the main house and the ADU.
Can my Glendale HOA enforce owner-occupancy for ADUs?
HB 2720 (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 9-461.18) substantially limits HOAs from blocking ADUs that comply with state by-right standards. Older recorded covenants may be partially preempted; consult an Arizona real estate attorney for a specific covenant analysis.
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