There are many things to consider when starting a business in Arizona, including what type of items to sell, how many people to hire and where the business will be located. Zoning requirements are helpful to understand.
Zoning regulations
Anyone who would like to develop or use a property in Arizona should be familiar with the local zoning regulations and obtain permits before starting construction or changing a property.
Business zoning requirements are regulated by local zoning ordinances, which divide areas into different zones. Each has their own permitted land uses, building types and development standards.
These may include neighborhood commercial, intermediate commercial, general commercial and central commercial uses. Neighborhood commercial zones allow for small retail and services businesses, like convenience stores and coffee shops.
Intermediate commercial zones allow large scale commercial uses like shopping centers, offices and hotels.
Central commercial zones are used for high-density and mixed-use development. Light and heavy industrial zones allow manufacturing, storage and distribution.
Other restrictions
Each zone may also have restrictions on building setbacks, height, parking and landscaping. There may also be restrictions on the size, type and placement of signs.
Height requirements usually include limits on buildings to preserve views, to prevent interference with air space and to ensure similarity of buildings in the neighborhood. Parking regulations may include a certain number of spaces per building.
Buildings must also comply with statewide building codes. These regulate construction materials and safety features of the structure. It’s important to remember that zoning regulations can change over time.