The battle of backyard casitas is heating up in Scottsdale, where city officials are grappling with state demands and their own municipal visions of neighborhood character. As reported by ABC15, Arizona lawmakers are diving into the dynamics of Scottsdale's restrictions on these accessory dwelling units, which are small homes that can be built on the same lot as a primary residence. The state law legalizing casitas, championed by Gov. Katie Hobbs and set to become effective on January 1st, clashes with Scottsdale’s late November zoning updates that exclude these units from large swathes of the city, particularly around the Scottsdale Airport and Sky Harbor area.
The legislation termed House Bill 2720, intended to expand affordable housing options—by making it easier for residents to add these small backyard homes—but Scottsdale's move to restrict much of the city from building casitas drew sharp criticism from State Rep. Michael Carbone who is reported by ABC15 to have said, "We need housing,” he said. “We need affordable housing, and this is a great way to implement that."
In attempts to align with the new laws while maintaining local control, Scottsdale has initiated a community consultation process to incorporate public opinion into its zoning code, per a press release by KJZZ. As part of this outreach Scottsdale produced two videos to educate residents about the state legislation and its potential impact while also highlighting the city's strategy to use the maximum limitations allowed by the state to address the issue, underscoring the if-then stakes: if the city doesn't comply by January, unbounded casita construction could become the new normal.
Meanwhile, state money hangs in the balance as repercussions for non-compliance could manifest in withheld state funding for Scottsdale, a reality that has lawmakers like Carbone and current House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci in discussions with city officials to find a resolution that resonates with the needs and wants of the people actually living there; Carbone summed it up to ABC15 saying, "My goal is to resolve it and then get them to perform in the right manner for their constituents, and just not waste people's time, because I think that's what's happening."
With the January 1st deadline fast approaching, Scottsdale finds itself at a pivotal juncture where it must navigate state requirements, its distinct local characteristics, and the input of its residents to determine the future of casitas in its communities. The city's actions in the coming weeks could set a precedent for local versus state control in Arizona's evolving housing landscape.
