Arizona Enacts Statewide ADU Reform To Expand Housing Options

Arizona Enacts Statewide ADU Reform To Expand Housing Options

By Jonathan Eberle |

Arizona homeowners will soon have greater freedom to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to their properties, thanks to a new law aimed at easing housing constraints and expanding property rights across the state.

House Bill 2928, signed into law last week, was spearheaded by House Majority Leader Michael Carbone. The legislation establishes statewide rules that limit local governments’ ability to restrict ADUs—also known as casitas or guest houses—on lots zoned for single-family homes.

“Arizona homeowners should be able to use their property without being buried in red tape,” said Carbone. “Whether it’s for an aging parent, a young adult, or a rental opportunity, ADUs are a practical solution—and it’s time the law recognized that.”

Under HB 2928, counties must adopt consistent standards by January 1, 2026, or default provisions outlined in the law will automatically take effect. The bill bars local governments from imposing strict design standards, excessive parking requirements, or costly infrastructure upgrades that have historically made ADUs difficult to build.

Key provisions of the law include prohibiting rules that require a preexisting relationship between homeowners and ADU occupants; limiting fees and setback requirements that raise construction costs; and allowing both attached and detached ADUs by right on single-family lots.

The legislation includes carveouts for tribal lands, military zones, high-noise areas, and utility easements. It also permits counties to require septic evaluations where appropriate.

Supporters argue the measure is a meaningful step toward addressing Arizona’s housing affordability challenges. By enabling more flexible use of existing properties, lawmakers say the bill will help ease pressure on housing supply without large-scale development.

“This law gives homeowners more freedom, cuts through bureaucracy, and ensures Arizona families can thrive,” Carbone said.

The reform aligns with broader goals outlined in the House Republican Majority Plan, which emphasizes reducing government intervention and promoting individual rights.

As Arizona continues to experience rapid population growth, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed interest in finding creative housing solutions. ADUs—long used in other states as a way to increase density without altering neighborhood character—are increasingly seen as a tool to meet that demand.

With HB 2928 now law, the focus shifts to implementation, as counties work to meet the 2026 deadline for adopting the required rules.

Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

Arizona House Democrats Use Disabled Children For Emotional Appeal

Arizona House Democrats Use Disabled Children For Emotional Appeal

By Staff Reporter |

Arizona House Democrats brought disabled children to the state capitol in an attempt to portray their Republican colleagues as uncaring.

State Rep. Nick Kupper pointed out that only he and one other member of the House have children in wheelchairs — and neither are Democrats. 

“I will not be shamed by people with no skin in the game!” said Kupper. 

On Tuesday, House Democrats took to the House floor to recognize their invited families with disabilities to push the passage of HB2816, a bill to provide funding for the Department of Economic Security (DES). The agency runs out of funds in May.

The bill from Assistant Minority Leader Nancy Gutierrez appropriates $122.3 million in state general funds and nearly $403 million in developmental disabilities Medicaid expenditure authority funds to the DES for developmental disabilities program expenses. 

HB2816 did not make it past introduction. However, that didn’t stop House Democrats from attempting to bypass regular processes to get it heard on the floor on Tuesday. 

“Republicans are blocking needed supplemental funds to keep the program going past May,” said Arizona House Democrats. 

House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos accused House Republicans of being against funding children’s disability services.

“Arizona House Republicans just KILLED the bill to fund lifesaving disability services for children with Down syndrome, autism, and other developmental disabilities. All while heartbroken families watched from the gallery,” said De Los Santos. 

House Republicans said Governor Katie Hobbs’ mismanagement was to blame for the budget shortfall and constricted timeline. Majority Leader Michael Carbone alleged to ABC15 that Hobbs had stretched disability services beyond their capabilities without the legislature’s consent.

“She expanded the scope and raised rates, all without the consent of the legislature of the necessary funding to meet her policy changes, and it now threatens the viability of the entire program,” said Carbone.

This wouldn’t be the only area of alleged mismanagement by Hobbs. House leaders addressed the pending shutdown of the Department of Child Safety’s Congregate Care program, which Speaker Steve Montenegro attributed to poor budgeting by Hobbs. 

“The governor spends beyond her budget. She waits until it fails, and then she declares an emergency. In January, we were told by the governor’s staff that they needed supplemental funding for DCS,” said House Speaker Steve Montenegro in Monday’s press conference. 

Hobbs’ spokesman, Christian Slater, said Republican lawmakers were “lying” about the governor’s budget handling. Slater accused Republicans of attempting 50 percent cuts to the Department of Developmental Disabilities. 

“Governor Hobbs produced a balanced budget proposal that secures the border, raises pay for State Troopers and firefighters, combats Veterans homelessness and protects Arizonans with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down Syndrome,” said Slater. “Instead of showing Arizonans a budget plan of their own, Republican lawmakers have gone to the press to lie about the Governor’s budget, refused to enter negotiations, and are holding kids in foster care and Arizonans with disabilities hostage to their political games.”

AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.

Montenegro Forms Ad Hoc Committee To Investigate Hobbs For ‘Gross Fiscal Mismanagement’

Montenegro Forms Ad Hoc Committee To Investigate Hobbs For ‘Gross Fiscal Mismanagement’

By Matthew Holloway |

On Monday, Arizona House Republicans revealed that the Department of Child Safety’s (DCS) Congregate Care program is bound for bankruptcy in a week’s time and announced the creation of a House Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the responsibility of Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs for a series of fiscal failures.

Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro, joined by Majority Leader Michael Carbone, Majority Whip Julie Willoughby, Speaker Pro Tempore Neal Carter, and members of the House Republican Majority called out the governor directly. “This is not a simple oversight—it is gross financial mismanagement at the highest level,” said Speaker Montenegro. “Governor Hobbs has made a habit of overspending, ignoring reality, and then sounding the alarm only when disaster strikes. The difference here is that Arizona’s children will be the ones to suffer for her failures. That’s why I’m taking immediate action.”

The Speaker continued, “This is a pattern. Congregate Care is set to go bankrupt next week. The Governor’s mismanaged Developmental Disabilities program will collapse by the end of April. Her administration failed to budget for formula growth in AHCCCS for two years straight—racking up hundreds of millions in unaccounted costs. The list goes on. This is not leadership. This is incompetence.”

“The people of Arizona didn’t elect us to stand by while the Governor manufactures crisis after crisis. House Republicans will ensure accountability and enforce responsible budgeting, but we expect the Governor to take ownership of her failures. That starts with making her staff available to the Legislature so we can fully understand the depth of this mismanagement and pursue the right solutions. Governor Hobbs may be comfortable with chaos, but we are not.”

As reported by AZ Free News in February, Treasurer Kimberly Yee reported on the allegations against the Hobbs administration in a letter to Chairman of the Arizona House Appropriations Committee, Rep. David Livingston.

In a statement at the time, Livingston said, “I appreciate Treasurer Yee’s clarity in addressing the financial mess Governor Hobbs has created. The issue isn’t ‘missing money’—it’s blatant mismanagement.”

“Under the Governor’s feckless leadership, state agencies are making massive spending decisions with zero legislative oversight, ballooning costs, and expecting taxpayers to foot the bill. This kind of incompetence cannot stand.”

The release from Montenegro detailed that the House Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Budget Mismanagement will examine “how the Governor has consistently mismanaged the budget, ignored financial reality, and allowed critical services to reach the brink of collapse before taking action.”

The Speaker also directed the Chairman of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to summon the Committee to order and instruct Governor Hobbs to redirect existing funds to handle the crisis and prevent harm to the children in DCS custody noting, “The Governor’s administration failed to spend wisely, and it is their responsibility to fix this situation—not the Legislature’s job to bail them out.”

WATCH:

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.

Rep. Carbone’s Bill Urges Congress To Prevent The EPA From Imposing ‘Coercive’ Sanctions On Arizona

Rep. Carbone’s Bill Urges Congress To Prevent The EPA From Imposing ‘Coercive’ Sanctions On Arizona

By Jonathan Eberle |

A bill asking President Trump and Congress to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from imposing sanctions on Arizona is currently making its way through the Arizona legislature.

House Concurrent Memorial (HCM) 2010, sponsored by Rep. Michael Carbone (R-LD25) urges the federal government to prevent the EPA from imposing what lawmakers call “coercive and likely unconstitutional” penalties on Arizona regarding ozone pollution standards. The resolution also calls for maintaining the existing 2015 air quality standard rather than implementing stricter regulations.

The federal Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set and periodically review air quality standards to protect public health. In 2015, the EPA lowered the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion to reduce harmful pollution linked to respiratory illnesses. However, Arizona officials argue that some areas struggle to meet the standard due to factors beyond their control, such as emissions from outside the state or even outside the country.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is responsible for implementing and enforcing air quality regulations at the state level. Under federal law, state air quality plans must prevent emissions that significantly contribute to pollution in neighboring states or interfere with visibility protections.

The resolution, if passed, would formally request that:

  • The President and Congress intervene to stop the EPA from penalizing Arizona for failing to meet ozone standards deemed unattainable with current technology.
  • The EPA revise its regulations to allow Arizona’s air quality plan to account for cross-border emissions when determining compliance.
  • The EPA maintain the 2015 ozone standard rather than implement stricter limits that the resolution claims lack sufficient scientific backing.

Additionally, the measure directs the Arizona Secretary of State to send copies of the memorial to federal officials, including the President, congressional leaders, and Arizona’s U.S. Senators and Representatives.

The measure passed the Arizona House with a 32-27-1 vote and was approved by the House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee in a 6-4 vote.

Supporters of the resolution argue that Arizona should not be penalized for ozone levels influenced by external sources beyond state control. If approved by the Legislature, HCM 2010 will serve as an official request for federal action but will not carry the force of law.

Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.