Pinal County officials are launching a comprehensive update to the county’s zoning ordinance, marking the first complete revision since 2012. The update aims to modernize regulations and better manage what county officials describe as some of the fastest growth in the United States.
“We’ve been given a golden opportunity to really put a foundational document in place for the future of Pinal County,” says Brent Billingsley, Associate Director of Community Development. “One of the challenges with our current code is it still contains old zoning codes from years ago that we don’t use anymore, which creates conflicts.”
The revised ordinance will introduce new regulations for emerging issues such as microschools, water conservation, and dark sky protection. It will also update existing regulations on topics including home-based businesses, recreational vehicle usage, and group homes.
Notable additions to the code include provisions for:
- Hillside development
- Animal husbandry
- Mobile vendors
- Breweries, wineries, and tasting rooms
- Aquifer protection
For the draft including a full list of updates and inclusions see the county’s Code Update Website.
The public will have 90 days to review and comment on the draft, from January 16 until April 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Comments can be submitted online through the county’s Community Development/Development Services Department.
For those preferring physical copies, the draft will be available at all county offices and libraries. The county plans to advertise the review period through social media and local newspapers.
“The more comments we can get, the better,” Billingsley explains. “We want folks to understand and buy into their land use controls in the county so that we’re all in agreement on how to move forward.”
The update affects all properties within unincorporated Pinal County and includes additional requirements for properties located in high noise or accident potential zones.
