Maricopa County Zoning Decisions: January 2026

In January 2026, Maricopa County held 5 public meetings covering zoning matters. 20 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 17 approved (94% approval rate), 1 denied, 2 deferred.

Zoning Decisions This Month

Special Use Permit Denial - Ranchero Livestock and Supplies

Denied.

Denied special use permit (case SU250021) for cottage industry hay storage, loading, and delivery business at 224th Avenue in Whitman area, District 4. The 1.2-acre residential parcel had been operating without permits for approximately one year. Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended a 2-year limited approval (5-3 vote), but neighbors testified conditions were not being followed. Opposition exceeded 20% threshold triggering super majority requirement.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Front Yard Setback Variance at 223 W Saddle Mountain Road

Approved.

Variance approved to reduce front yard setback from 80 feet to 42 feet (2 feet from 40-foot easement) for primary residence development on 1-acre RU-43 zoned parcel. Floodplain and floodway cover southern 137 feet of parcel, constraining buildable area. Applicant: 223 Saddle Mountain LLC.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Setback Variances for Stevens Residence at 49450 N 15th Avenue

Approved.

Variance approved to recognize existing encroachments: 15-foot west street side setback (20 feet required) and 30-foot rear setback (40 feet required) for covered patios constructed without permits circa 2017-2018 by previous owner. RU-43 zoning, 78,147 sq ft lot in New River area. Current owner seeking to memorialize conditions before constructing compliant addition on south side.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rear Setback Variance at 479 Cayenne Drive, Morristown

Deferred.

Request for 16-foot rear setback (25 feet required) for 13x28 attached patio cover in R-1-6 zoning district continued to next meeting due to applicant absence. Circle City community.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Butler Billboard Military Compatibility Permit Amendment

Approved.

MCP25-00006: Amendment to add billboard as permitted use at existing shipping company site. Located at Northeast corner of 133rd Avenue and Butler in West Wendell area. Zoning districts: Rural 43 MAA MF and 82 MAA MF. Site is 2.75 acres. District 4.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Sonoran Serenity Residential Subdivision (Z250023)

Approved.

Zone change from Rural 43 to R-1-35 RUPD for future 97-lot residential subdivision on 97 acres in Whitman area. Density approximately one dwelling unit per acre. Smaller lot sizes (30,000 sq ft minimum) allowed due to FEMA floodway bisecting property. Developer will channelize wash and add flood retention basins. Applicant: Michael Ripson representing Lanarme Homes.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Lot Size/Width Variance - Prieto Property Lot 4

Approved.

Variance approved to establish lot area less than 43,560 sq ft and width of 132 feet (145 feet required) for RU-43 zoned parcel. Substandard lot created by surveyor error during lot split where parcels were incorrectly labeled as 1.00 acres. Applicant: Sonia and Martin Prieto. Case BA2500073.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rear Yard Coverage Variance - Collins Casita at Central Ave & Tumbleweed Drive

Approved.

Variance approved to allow ADU to occupy 41% of rear yard (30% maximum permitted) for 2,631 sq ft casita structure in RU-43 zoning district. Parcel is 43,522 sq ft (slightly under 1 acre). Structure to be 9 feet from rear property boundary. Applicant: Chandra Collins.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 20 recorded zoning decisions. See all Maricopa County meetings →

Zoning Changes

• Rural Residential (single family) → Special Use Permit for cottage industry (hay storage/delivery) - DENIED, 1.2 acres at 224th Avenue, Whitman area (North of Patton Road, West side of 224th Avenue), District 4 (Nereda Castro (property owner), represented by Chad Dixon of Tangent Pointe Architecture)
• C-3 CUPD, 4.3 acres at West of Southwest corner of Apache Trail and Meridian Road, East Mesa/Apache Junction area (Royal Landscaping)
• Industrial 2 IUPD, 65 acres at Southwest of Southwest corner of Elliott Road and 363rd Avenue, Arlington area (Sun Basin 7)
• Industrial Two IUPD, 638 acres at Northeast Corner of Thomas and 491st Avenue, Harquihala Valley, District 5
• C-2, 1.5 acres at Southeast of Southeast corner of 203rd Avenue and Grand Avenue, Whitman area (Calvary Chapel Arise)
• R-1-6 RUPD (with age restriction) → R-1-6 RUPD (age restriction removed) at Northeast Corner of 99th Avenue and Olive Avenue
• Rural 43 → R-1-35 RUPD, 97 acres at Whitman area, 97 acres (Michael Ripson / Lanarme Homes)

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 36 instances
• variance: 36 instances
• setback: 29 instances
• rezoning: 13 instances
• commercial: 12 instances

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