Comprehensive Planning Legislation for Counties
Arizona Revised Statutes Title 11. Counties § 11‐804 lays out the state requirements for
counties to develop comprehensive plans to guide future growth in the area of their
jurisdiction, pursuant to the present and future needs of the county. Comprehensive
plans have some differences in the requirements that cities and towns must meet, but
the requirements are still based upon county populations. Counties that do not meet the
population limits for specific planning requirements may elect to include them in addition
to the required planning guidelines.
For counties with a population of more than 125,000 persons, the comprehensive plan
shall include the following planning requirements.
Planning for land use
Planning for circulation
Planning for water resources
Planning for energy use
For counties with a population of more than 200,000, the comprehensive plan shall
include the following planning requirements.
Planning for open space
Planning for growth areas
Environmental planning element
Cost of development element
The state legislation also requires that counties with territory in the vicinity of a military
airport or ancillary military facilities, as defined in ARS §28‐8481, must give consideration
to military airport or ancillary military facility operations in their general plans and
policies and identify any boundaries of high noise or accident potential zones in their
general plans for purpose of planning compatible land uses in these areas. While this
does not relate to AZARNG sites, a county’s comprehensive plan can be a powerful tool in
recognizing AZARNG needs and establishing policies and guidelines for community
growth in the region around them.
Zoning Legislation
Zoning regulations are meant to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and
guide development by establishing individual zoning districts with unique requirements
for development. The use of buildings, structures and land for agriculture, residence,
industry, business, and other purposes is regulated. The zoning regulations also establish
requirements for items such as building setbacks, building and structure heights, parking,
floodplains, and signs and billboards. Zoning ordinances are required to be consistent
with, and conform to, municipalities’ adopted general plans.
Arizona Revised Statutes Title 9. Cities and Towns § 9‐462 lays out the state requirements
for cities and towns to develop zoning regulations. Zoning regulation requirements for
counties are identified in Arizona Revised Statutes Title 11. Counties § 11‐811.
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