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ArizonaSB 1353Fifty-seventh Legislature - First Regular SessionSenateWALLET

municipal development; permits; review

Sponsored By: David Gowan (Republican)

Signed by Governor

appealsapplicabilitybuilding permitscities and towns - title 9complianceconsequencedefinitionexemptionfailure to comply with time frameimmunityinspectionslicensing time framesmunicipal building permitsmunicipal developmentpermitsreviewthird-party review

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Applicants get clearer municipal license rules

Municipalities must publish license review time frames and consider deadlines set in state law. These rules cover licenses for residential lots, including pools, walls, subdivisions, and planned communities; some licenses issued within 7 working days and permits that expire within 21 working days remain exempt. If you ask about requested corrections, the municipality must discuss them with you within 10 working days. For covered residential development or construction licenses, a municipality generally must notify the applicant and property owner within 15 days if excessive deficiencies may lead to denial; it must explain denials and appeal rights. When statutory refund conditions are met, including too many correction requests or a missed deadline, the municipality must refund review fees or excuse unpaid fees within 30 working days. During construction that follows an approved plan or permit, the municipality generally cannot change or cancel it, with exceptions for unknown site conditions, requested changes, or qualifying code problems.

Small subdivisions get faster reviews

Municipalities can speed up or waive preliminary-plat steps for subdivisions with 10 or fewer lots, tracts, or parcels, if each is a size the municipality allows. They can also reduce some infrastructure standards in proportion to the project’s impact. Dust-controlled access and drainage improvements cannot be waived. This can reduce approval time and development costs for small projects.

Delayed home permits get outside review

In municipalities with at least 30,000 people, applicants for single-family home permits can use a qualified third-party reviewer if the municipality does not act within 15 working days. The review does not cover hillside or federally required floodplain reviews, and applicants pay its fees and costs. Applicants can appeal an approval, conditional approval, or denial. The municipality must keep a list of at least three reviewers and receives state-law immunity when it issues a permit or occupancy certificate after third-party review.

Required subdivision work can delay move-ins

Municipalities can withhold an occupancy certificate until required subdivision streets, utilities, drainage, and other improvements are installed. This can help ensure homes have required infrastructure, but it can delay when residents move in.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • David Gowan

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 102 • No: 33

Senate vote • 5/7/2025

CONCUR: Passed

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/7/2025

FINAL: Passed

Yes: 23 • No: 3

Senate vote • 5/7/2025

THIRD: Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 14

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

C&P

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2025

DPA

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

THIRD: Passed

Yes: 17 • No: 10

Senate vote • 2/5/2025

DPA

Yes: 4 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Final Reading: Passed

    5/7/2025Senate

  2. Concurrence: Passed

    5/7/2025Senate

  3. Third Reading: Passed

    5/7/2025Senate

  4. Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    4/16/2025Senate

  5. undefined: C&P

    4/14/2025Senate

  6. undefined: DPA

    3/25/2025Senate

  7. Third Reading: Passed

    3/17/2025Senate

  8. Additional Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    3/13/2025Senate

  9. Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    3/3/2025Senate

  10. Committee of the Whole: retained

    2/24/2025Senate

  11. undefined: PFC

    2/10/2025Senate

  12. undefined: DPA

    2/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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