Zoning Report

Phoenix, AZ Zoning

Phoenix has a large, detailed zoning system built around conventional zoning districts in Chapter 6 of the Zoning Ordinance, with additional development rules in Chapter 7 and separate Downtown Code and Walkable Urban Code frameworks. The available sources show a broad residential district structure ranging from large-lot single-family districts to multifamily districts, plus citywide procedures for rezoning, use permits, special permits, and Board of Adjustment appeals. Phoenix also has active floodplain management requirements and a recently updated ADU framework.

Last researched May 2026

Residential districtsADUsRezoningUse permitsSpecial permitsBoard of Adjustment appealsFloodplain managementParking and loadingDowntown CodeWalkable Urban CodeTransit-oriented communitiesPAD zoning

Zoning Districts in Phoenix, AZ

RE-35 Single-Family Residence District

Large-lot single-family residential district within Phoenix's residential zoning framework.

Allowed uses: Single-family residential uses, Limited nonresidential and accessory uses where allowed by the residential land use matrix and conditions

R1-18 Single-Family Residence District

Single-family residential district with larger minimum lot expectations than lower-numbered R1 districts.

Allowed uses: Single-family residential uses, Accessory uses, Limited nonresidential uses where specifically allowed

R1-10 Single-Family Residence District

Single-family residential district for detached housing on moderate-size lots.

Allowed uses: Single-family detached dwellings, Accessory uses, ADUs where allowed under current city rules

R1-8 Single-Family Residence District

Single-family residential district commonly associated with typical suburban detached housing lots.

Allowed uses: Single-family detached dwellings, Accessory uses, ADUs where allowed under current city rules

R1-6 Single-Family Residence District

Single-family residential district commonly referenced by the city as a typical single-family zone.

Allowed uses: Single-family detached dwellings, Accessory uses, ADUs where allowed under current city rules

R-2 Residence District

Residential district within the city's residential zoning series.

Allowed uses: Residential uses allowed by the residential matrix, Accessory uses

R-3 Residence District

Residential district with higher intensity than single-family districts.

Allowed uses: Residential uses allowed by the matrix, Accessory uses, Limited nonresidential uses where specifically allowed

R-3A Residence District

Residential district in Phoenix's medium-density residential structure.

Allowed uses: Residential uses allowed by the matrix, Accessory uses

R-4 Residence District

Higher-density multifamily residential district.

Allowed uses: Multifamily and other residential uses as allowed in the matrix, Accessory uses

R-5 Residence District

High-density residential district in the conventional zoning code.

Allowed uses: Higher-density residential uses as allowed by the residential matrix, Accessory uses

R-4A Multi-Family Residence—General

A multifamily residential district listed separately within the residential district structure.

Allowed uses: Multifamily residential uses as allowed by district regulations, Accessory uses

Downtown Code

A separate zoning framework in Chapter 12 that applies in downtown areas rather than relying only on the base conventional districts.

Allowed uses: Varies by downtown code provisions

Walkable Urban Code

A separate zoning framework in Chapter 13 oriented to walkable, transit-supportive urban development.

Allowed uses: Varies by walkable urban code provisions

Planned Area Development (PAD)

A planned zoning tool referenced in the residential code sections for alternative tailored regulations.

Allowed uses: Uses and standards vary by PAD approval

Recent Zoning Changes

The clearest recent zoning changes in the provided sources are a January 2026 codification amendment to Sections 608 and 702 of the Zoning Ordinance under Ordinance No. G-7446, and late-2024 ADU ordinance changes approved by City Council to comply with new state laws. The ADU webpage also shows Phoenix is implementing an ADU standard plan library, but several standard plans were still marked "IN REVIEW" as of the source fetch date.

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This summary is AI-generated from public municipal sources and is not legal, engineering, or land-use advice. Always verify zoning with Phoenix, AZ officials before making decisions.