Specific Plans Overview: Phoenix vs Tempe
How do specific plans overview rules compare between Phoenix, AZ and Tempe, AZ?
Phoenix and Tempe have similar restriction levels.
Phoenix, AZ
Maricopa County
Phoenix uses a General Plan plus 15 Urban Village character areas with appointed Village Planning Committees that review rezonings, use permits, and area plans. Specific area plans (like Downtown, Reinvent PHX) layer additional standards on top of Chapter 36 zoning.
View full Phoenix rules →Tempe, AZ
Maricopa County
Maricopa County adopted Vision 2030, the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, as the long-range policy framework for unincorporated land. Title XIII zoning implements the plan through Area Plans, Special Planning Areas, and Conditional Use Permits across the New River, Hassayampa, Aguila, and other regions.
View full Tempe rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Phoenix | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| General Plan | PlanPHX 2015 | - |
| Urban Villages | 15 character areas | - |
| Zoning code | Phoenix Ch. 36 | - |
| Form-based code | Downtown Walkable Urban | - |
| Transit overlay | Reinvent PHX along light rail | - |
| Plan name | - | Vision 2030 |
| Adopted | - | 2015 update |
| Authority | - | ARS 11-804 |
| Area Plans | - | 5 regional plans |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Phoenix FAQ
Do I need Village Planning Committee approval?
Most rezonings, major use permits, and General Plan amendments require Village Planning Committee recommendation before Planning Commission and City Council. Standard permits for in-zone uses do not require Village review.
What is Reinvent PHX?
Reinvent PHX is a transit-oriented zoning overlay for parcels within walking distance of light-rail stations. It allows mixed-use density and reduced parking, adopted under the General Plan and Chapter 36 amendments after federal HUD Sustainable Communities funding.
How do I find my village?
Phoenix Planning and Development hosts an interactive map at phoenix.gov/villages showing all 15 Urban Village boundaries. Each village has a council liaison and committee meeting schedule posted online.
Tempe FAQ
How do I find the Area Plan for my parcel?
Use the Maricopa County Planning Online Mapping tool, which overlays Comprehensive Plan land-use, Area Plans, and zoning. Each Area Plan has unique density, design, and environmental policies layered on top of the base Title XIII zoning standards.
How long does a major plan amendment take?
Major Comprehensive Plan amendments are accepted once a year, with mandatory neighborhood meetings, Planning and Zoning Commission hearings, and Board of Supervisors action. The full process commonly takes nine to eighteen months from filing.
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