Pinal County announced its first comprehensive update to the county’s zoning ordinance since 2012, with a public review period scheduled from January 16 until April 15, 2025. A Facebook group called “Pinal Code Watchers” formed in response to the proposed changes, attracting over 3,000 followers within days. While many members expressed concerns about property rights and rural lifestyle preservation, some connected the changes to concerns about “15-minute cities” – a development concept they worried could restrict rural living.
On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors meeting rooms were filled to capacity with concerned citizens, with overflow rooms needed to accommodate the crowd. Residents came forward to voice their opposition to the proposed development code changes, particularly regarding restrictions on livestock and home-based businesses.
Following the overwhelming public response, Chairman Stephen Miller announced via the official Pinal County YouTube channel that the board would “remove it as written and start over and we’ll take the time to correct the zoning code to be more lenient to meet the needs of the citizens of Pinal County.”
The swift reversal came after a series of events spanning just two weeks. The county initially announced the code update on January 16, 2025, followed by the contentious Board of Supervisors meeting on January 29. During this meeting, Supervisor Goodman suggested working with supervisors from each district to better communicate with rural communities and form panels of residents to help develop future code updates. By January 31, the board had scheduled an agenda item to cancel the zoning ordinance update draft at their February 5 meeting.
During the public comment period, residents expressed numerous concerns about the proposed changes. Many spoke about the impact on their ability to raise livestock, particularly on properties under five acres. Others worried about restrictions on home-based businesses, 4-H and FFA programs, and agricultural activities. Multiple speakers emphasized how the proposed changes would affect their rural way of life and their children’s ability to participate in activities like junior rodeo and animal husbandry.
Both Chairman Miller and Supervisor Mike Goodman emphasized their own connections to rural life. Goodman noted, “I farmed this area up until 2013… I have 12 children, 11 of them are married, I have 32 grandchildren, and the majority of them live here in this County. We own 4 and a half acres, I have cows, I have farmed.” Chairman Miller mentioned his history of working on ranches and experience with animals. He revealed he had only received the draft at 3:45 PM the day before the meeting and hadn’t had time to read it.
The code update was developed with assistance from Michael Baker International, a Pittsburgh-based engineering and consulting firm with over 90 offices nationwide. The company’s services include planning, architectural, environmental, and program management, with specific expertise in community planning and land development. Their planning practice focuses on guiding community planning and land use decisions for both urban and rural communities.
Some residents drew connections between the proposed changes and broader concerns about development pressures. They suggested the code changes could be part of a pattern of rural areas being increasingly restricted through regulations, potentially making way for future development. Critics argued that the detailed restrictions on animal keeping and property use seemed more aligned with urban HOA regulations than rural county needs.
The Board of Supervisors will meet February 5 to address the cancellation of the current draft. Residents can stay informed about future code updates through the citizen-created Facebook group and the county’s website.
