ADU Permits: Peoria vs Scottsdale
How do adu permits rules compare between Peoria, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ?
Peoria and Scottsdale have similar restriction levels.
Peoria, AZ
Maricopa County
Peoria permits accessory dwelling units (often locally called casitas) 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. Peoria (population approximately 190,000) is subject to the mandate. The Peoria Zoning Ordinance (PZO) Article 14-2 (Residential Districts) was amended to comply. Single-family lots may have one detached and one attached ADU; lots over one acre may add a third detached unit.
View full Peoria rules →Scottsdale, AZ
Maricopa County
Scottsdale permits accessory dwelling units by-right under Arizona Revised Statutes Sec. 9-461.18, enacted by HB 2720 in 2024 and effective January 1, 2025 for cities over 75,000 population. Scottsdale (population approximately 241,000) qualifies. The City of Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance was amended to comply. Single-family lots may have one detached and one attached ADU; lots over one acre may add a third detached ADU. Permits are issued through Planning & Development Services.
View full Scottsdale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Peoria | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| State Mandate | Ariz. Rev. Stat. 9-461.18 (HB 2720) | Ariz. Rev. Stat. 9-461.18 (HB 2720) |
| City Reference | Peoria Zoning Ordinance Article 14-2 | - |
| Units Allowed | 1 detached + 1 attached (3 if 1+ acre) | 1 detached + 1 attached (3 if 1+ acre) |
| Maximum Size | 75% of primary or 1,000 sq ft | - |
| Permit Authority | Peoria Development and Engineering | Scottsdale Planning & Dev Services |
| By-Right Standard | Yes on single-family lots | Yes on single-family lots |
| City Code | - | Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance (amended 2024) |
| ESLO Constraints | - | Apply in north Scottsdale |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Peoria FAQ
Can I build a casita ADU in Peoria by-right?
Yes. Under Arizona HB 2720 (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 9-461.18), Peoria must allow one detached and one attached ADU by-right on every single-family lot. Lots over one acre may add a third detached unit. Building, plumbing, electrical, and fuel-gas permits through Peoria Development and Engineering are still required.
How big can my Peoria ADU be?
Under ARS 9-461.18, your ADU may not exceed 75% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less. Setback, height, and lot-coverage standards from Peoria's residential zoning district still apply to the structure itself.
Scottsdale FAQ
Can I build an ADU in Scottsdale by-right?
Yes. Under Arizona HB 2720 (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Sec. 9-461.18), Scottsdale must allow one detached and one attached ADU by-right on every single-family lot. Lots over one acre may add a third detached unit. Building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits through Planning & Development Services are still required.
Does the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance affect my ADU?
Yes if your lot is in the ESLO overlay (most of north Scottsdale). HB 2720 does not exempt ADUs from generally applicable slope, native-vegetation salvage, grading, and view-corridor requirements. Detached ADU placement and pad design must still comply with the ESLO.
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