PHOENIX — Arizona’s 2025 legislative session marked a pivotal year for housing reform, with lawmakers approving a trio of influential bills that streamline development and shield property owners from costly liabilities.
Despite a politically intense 169-day session marked by a record-breaking 174 gubernatorial vetoes, three top-priority housing bills backed by the Arizona Multihousing Association (AMA) successfully made it into law, signaling major progress for the state’s housing and apartment industry.
3 Major Housing Bills Signed Into Law
HB2068 (Kupper) grants liability protection to property owners when a tenant’s service or support animal harms others or damages property. Signed May 13.
HB2110 (Biasiucci) requires Arizona cities with populations over 150,000 to allow multifamily or adaptive reuse projects on at least 10% of commercial or mixed-use land — regardless of non-disruptive noise levels. Signed April 7, retroactive to Jan. 1.
HB2447 (Carbone) shifts approval power for site plans and design reviews from elected officials to city staff, eliminating the need for public hearings on such matters. Signed March 31.
Anti-Housing Measures Shut Down
Alongside their legislative victories, AMA reported defeating all 41 bills it identified as harmful to the housing sector. These proposals, if passed, would have introduced sweeping mandates and restrictions such as:
Imposing local rent control (HB2337, SB1177)
Forcing acceptance of federal housing vouchers (HB2538, SB1186)
Reversing planning flexibility gains (HB2444)
Creating new fee penalties and disclosure burdens (SB1580)
None of these measures survived, thanks to early lobbying efforts and bipartisan support from housing advocates.
Budget Progress and Missed Opportunities
The $17.6 billion state budget included modest funding increases for homelessness services and eviction prevention programs. However, the failure to renew Arizona’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program was seen as a setback for large-scale affordable housing production.
Overall, the 2025 session marked a decisive step forward for housing policy in Arizona. With the Legislature now in recess, the AMA says its next focus will be on implementing these reforms at the local level and preparing for the 2026 session.
