ADU Impact Fees: Glendale vs Mesa
How do adu impact fees rules compare between Glendale, AZ and Mesa, AZ?
Mesa has fewer restrictions than Glendale.
Glendale, AZ
Maricopa County
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.
View full Glendale rules →Mesa, AZ
Maricopa County
Mesa charges development impact fees under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 9-463.05 for water, wastewater, parks, and public safety. HB 2720 requires that ADU impact fees be proportional to the ADU's service demand, not the full single-family rate. Mesa Utilities capacity fees apply when a new water meter is installed for an ADU.
View full Mesa rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Glendale | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Street Impact Fee | Not applied (state preempted) | - |
| State Cap | ARS 9-461.18 limits excessive ADU fees | - |
| Permit Fee Basis | Construction valuation | - |
| Water Meter Fee | Required (separate meter per ADU) | - |
| Water Tap | New tap to main required | - |
| Reference Document | Glendale ADU Update Mar 2025 | - |
| Fee Authority | - | ARS §9-463.05 |
| HB 2720 | - | Proportional ADU fees required |
| Water Meter | - | Capacity fee if new meter |
| Permit Fee | - | $500-$2,000 typical |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Glendale FAQ
Does Glendale charge an ADU impact fee?
Streets impact fees do not apply to ADUs because state law (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 9-461.18) prohibits requiring street improvements. Glendale does charge standard building permit fees scaled to construction valuation, and unlike many cities, requires a separate water meter and new tap for every ADU, which generates meter and connection fees.
Why is Glendale's ADU water fee higher than other Arizona cities?
Glendale uniquely requires every ADU to have its own city water meter with a new tap to the water main in the street or right-of-way. Most Arizona cities permit ADUs to share the primary dwelling's meter and service, avoiding new connection fees. Plan for separate water meter and tap charges in your Glendale ADU budget.
Mesa FAQ
How much are impact fees for a Mesa ADU?
Mesa impact fees vary by area and ADU size. Under HB 2720, fees must be proportional to the ADU's service demand, not the full single-family rate. Request a fee estimate from Mesa Development Services before submitting permits.
Do I need a separate water meter for my Mesa ADU?
Not required. Sharing the primary dwelling's water meter avoids Mesa Utilities capacity fees. A separate meter is optional but triggers a new meter installation fee plus capacity charges. Most homeowners share the meter unless they plan to rent the ADU separately.
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