Legislation to lift homebuilding moratorium in Buckeye advances twice

State Sen. Shawnna Bolick (R-Phoenix) is working to address Buckeye's housing shortage and safeguard private property rights with legislation to prevent cities and towns from adopting rules and regulations that hinder development of single-family homes.

In 2023, Gov. Katie Hobbs issued a moratorium to stop homebuilding in two of the fastest growing communities of the Valley -- Buckeye and Queen Creek. This move is "directly contributing to Arizona's housing shortage," said the senator, as demand continues to grow for affordable housing, particularly for first-time homebuyers.

The moratorium "is exacerbating an already constrained market, making it difficult for hardworking Arizonans to achieve their American dream of homeownership," Bolick said Feb. 19.

Senate Bill 1228 blocks the Buckeye City Council from adopting or enforcing new regulations, standards or stipulations for the development of new single-family homes until June 30, 2028.

The moratorium outlined in SB 1228 offers a clear path forward, allowing housing developers to proceed with confidence on new housing projects without fear of sudden regulatory changes, according to the language in the bill. By preventing municipalities from imposing new requirements until 2028, SB 1228 "will create a predictable environment for construction, which will help bring affordable housing options to the Valley, making it possible for communities to grow and thrive," said the Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus in a statement.

SB 1228 narrowly passed Feb. 20 through the Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency Committee by a 4-3 GOP partyline vote. The bill Feb. 24 passed the Rules Committee and awaits a full vote at the Senate.

"Our state continues to face a housing shortage that puts pressure on working families. We must take action and provide solutions that protect Arizonans and their rights to build homes," said Sen. Bolick. "This legislation will allow housing development to continue without being hampered by restrictive regulations. I believe this bill will stimulate housing construction, reduce regulatory red tape, and promote homeownership across the state. Arizonans are already facing hardship in an overinflated housing market, we need to remove restrictive government barriers that harm citizens, not create more."