Arizona's new casitas law enables homeowners to build additional units
PHOENIX - Arizona's new casitas law paves the way for more housing in the state.
This new law allows Accessory Dwelling Unit's (ADUs) or casitas to be built on single-family home lots in cities with more than 75,000 people.
The law went into effect Jan. 1.
A local business owner who specializes in casitas tells FOX 10 Phoenix he already has customers ready to move in.
What they are saying
"It's meant such a great deal to us, to my family," said Diane Bain.
The city of Phoenix's latest ordinance on building casitas in backyards is allowing Bain, a widow, to stay close to her son and daughter-in-law.
"As I get older, I'm 83, it would be very good to have them close and they would feel better knowing I'm safe and all that," she said.
The idea of building a casita in her Phoenix backyard was first shut down by the city.
"We looked into building that casita and found it could only be 900 square feet. That included the garage and the porches, and it was so tiny that I couldn't have a room for a little bedroom and bathroom for a caregiver. That was part of the whole point," she said.
The new ordinance has fewer restrictions, allowing her to build the casita she wanted without having to move.
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"We could build a really gracious-sized casita and I could have my mineral collection and my plants, my cactus and succulents. I could host my book club," said Bain.
The state's new casitas law loosens restrictions for all Arizona cities with a population greater than 75,000.
"That is fabulous and it seems like, 'Why hasn't it been done earlier?' I have no idea. But if it's being done now, it will make such a difference in people's lives for the better," she said.
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What to know about Arizona's new casitas law
A recent ASU study found Arizona is short 270,000 homes. A new law aims to solve that problem, but some are skeptical about what it means.
Jeff Felt owns Arizona Casita Builders.
"They made it to where the setbacks are a lot closer. So we could get 3-to-5 feet of a wall, so it makes a big difference," said Felt.
He says the previous law limited areas he could build in, but with the new ADU law, it allows more lot coverage.
"We have a lot of people in our que that were waiting for the law to change, so we actually got a few sales this week just because of it," Felt said.
He says the need is increasing for casitas.
"The cost of homes in Arizona has gone up substantially, so this is another way. They save on land costs because they're able to build on the existing property, so it saves people money," Felt said.
We asked Jeff if his customers want to build casitas for their family to live in or if they plan to rent it out.
He said it's about 60/40: 60% plan to have family live in the casita and 40% plan to rent it out.
The Source: Information for this story was gathered by FOX 10 Reporter Lindsey Ragas.