SB 1278 Summary

• Amends Arizona law to create a new municipal classification called a "senior village" for communities where at least 85% of the population is 62 years or older, with a minimum population of 1,500 persons and at least 1,200 single-family residences.

• Allows communities meeting senior village requirements to incorporate as a senior village by petition of two-thirds of qualified electors, following similar procedures to city and town incorporation under Section 9-101.

• Senior villages are exempt from certain incorporation requirements but subject to most other city and town laws; eligible for state shared revenue like cities and towns, though the county administers highway user revenue for roads within the senior village.

• Establishes senior village governance with a five-member council elected for two-year terms, including a council-elected president, plus a clerk, treasurer, constable, and justice of the peace; council members receive $25 per meeting.

• Creates "senior village development" designation allowing developers to apply to county board of supervisors for planned communities meeting senior village criteria; provides six-year exemption from annexation by cities or towns and allows incorporation as a senior village within that six-year window.