specific elements are required based on population, municipalities may elect to include
elements in their plan that are not required based on their population.
State legislation allows cities and towns to plan for land use outside of their established
limits, but within an area called the Municipal Planning Area (MPA). A municipality’s MPA
is composed of unincorporated land to provide an additional area outside of the city or
town limits that the municipality can plan as part of their general plan. Growth policies
and goals can be applied to the MPA and it serves as a general area where the city or
town can promote compatible growth and protect the residents and land within their
jurisdiction.
All municipalities must include the following elements, regardless of their population.
Land use element
Circulation element
For cities and towns with a population of more than 2,500 persons but less than
10,000 persons, the following elements are required.
Open space element
Growth area element
Environmental planning element
Cost of development element
Water resource element
For cities or towns of 50,000 persons or more, the following elements are required.
Conservation element
Recreation element
Circulation element
Public services and facilities
element
Public buildings element
Housing element
Conservation, rehabilitation, and
redevelopment element
Safety element
Bicycling element
Energy element
Neighborhood preservation and
revitalization element
The state legislation also requires cities or towns with territory in the vicinity of a military
airport or ancillary military facilities, as defined in ARS §28‐8481, to consider of military
airport or ancillary military facility operations in their general plans and policies and also
to identify any boundaries of high noise or accident potential zones in their general plans
for the purposes of planning compatible land uses in these areas. While this does not
relate to AZARNG sites, a community’s general plan can be a powerful tool in recognizing
AZARNG needs and establishing policies and guidelines for community growth in the area
around them.
General plans must be updated and re‐adopted every 10 years to keep current with
community growth trends.
Background Report
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