Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Maricopa County, AZ (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Maricopa County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Specific Plans Overview

In unincorporated Maricopa County, no parcel inside a Planned Area Development (PAD) overlay can be built on until the county approves a Specific Development Plan for it. The plan must track the General Development Plan the Board of Supervisors already approved for the whole PAD.

Maricopa County Specific Development Plan Rule

Some Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 7, Section 701, Article 701.5 (Specific Development Plan)

Article 701.5. Specific Development Plan: 1. Submittal and approval of a Specific Development Plan is required prior to development of any parcel within a PAD. 2. The Specific Development Plan shall be generally consistent with the development parameters set forth in the General Development Plan. Refinements in site configuration and development parcel size are allowable, as long as any limitat...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Density Bonus Law

A density bonus exists only in the Highway 74 Scenic Corridor overlay, letting developers double base density if they leave part of a parcel undeveloped.

Density Bonus: Maricopa County

Light Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 705, Standards ¶ 12 (Highway 74 Scenic Corridor Overlay)

To encourage areas of no development within the Corridor, a transfer of density for residential development equal to twice the base zoning will be allowed in property outside and adjacent to the non-developed portion of the property (when the development proposes no development within the Corridor). To receive the density bonus, a non-development easement agreement must be prepared and submitte...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗