HB 2536 Summary

• Prohibits municipalities with populations over 30,000 from adopting or enforcing ordinances regulating residential housing design elements, including exterior colors, materials, roof styles, garage placement, floor plans, and landscaping.

• Allows municipalities to still regulate elevation repetition, dwelling height, and open space only for stormwater retention and water conservation purposes.

• Exempts from the design prohibition: building codes, historic districts, flood insurance requirements, recorded subdivision plats adopted before the law's effective date, and sound attenuation standards.

• Requires municipalities with populations over 30,000 to publish housing needs assessments every five years and submit annual reports to the Arizona Department of Housing detailing housing development applications, approvals, and progress toward meeting identified housing needs.

• Allows applicants and housing organizations to sue in superior court to enforce these requirements, and does not apply to municipalities with populations under 30,000 or those located on tribal land.