The Arizona Legislature often passes legislation that impacts how cities like Scottsdale regulate development. Below are newly proposed or adopted state laws that require Scottsdale to make changes to zoning ordinances and other regulations.
Current Legislation (2026 – Fifty-seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session)
As of Dec. 2, 2025, there is no legislation currently being heard in the Arizona State Legislature that impacts Scottsdale’s planning and development regulations.
Legislation signed into law
Middle Housing (Effective Sept. 2025)
Scottsdale’s zoning ordinance was amended in January 2026 to comply with HB2721. The new law (ARS §9-462.10) permits the construction of duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes (collectively referred to as “Middle Housing”) on single-family residential lots, subject to location exclusions, use restrictions and service requirements. Previously, Scottsdale did not allow multiple-unit residential development on single-family lots.
More: Council amends zoning ordinance in response to state legislation
Accessory Dwelling Units (Effective Sept. 2025)
Scottsdale’s zoning ordinance was amended in January 2026 to comply with HB2928. The new law expands the ability for ADUs to be built on residential lots. Previous legislation (HB2720, passed in 2024) restricted the building of ADUs within the operating vicinity of airports. However, the new law reduced the size of those restriction areas and thus expanded areas in Scottsdale where ADUs can be built.
More: Council amends zoning ordinance in response to state legislation
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Expansion of Hours for Construction Activity (Effective May 2025)
ARS §9-500.52 (SB1182) expands the hours in which cities must allow for construction activity during the summer and fall months. The law now permits construction activity from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays between the months of May 1 – Oct. 15. It also allows concrete to be poured one hour before general construction activities begin, at 4 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on Saturdays.
Scottsdale will maintain its current winter/spring hours in which construction activity is allowed. From Oct. 16 to April 30, construction activity, including concrete pours, is permitted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Construction activity is not permitted on Sundays.
Adaptive Reuse (Effective Sept. 2024)
Scottsdale’s zoning ordinance was amended in to comply with HB 2110 (ARS §9-462.10) which allows conversion (reuse) of at least 10% of existing commercial, office, or mixed-use parcels citywide to multifamily housing development, without requiring a public hearing or public outreach process. This expanded previous legislation (HB2297, passed in 2024) that limited the development to no more than 10% of existing commercial, office, or mixed-use buildings. This new law also includes limited airport restriction areas thus expanding areas in Scottsdale where adaptive reuse projects can be built.
Short-Term Rentals (Effective Aug. 2017)
Passed in 2017, SB1350 required cities like Scottsdale to allow short-term and vacation rentals in residential districts and prohibited the regulation of these properties except to protect the public’s health and safety and to enforce existing residential zoning ordinances. Previously, the city treated short-term rentals as “travel accommodations” and limited them to zoning districts that permitted hotels, motels, and resorts.
More: Vacation and Short Term Rentals