Preserve Phoenix Position Statement on HB 2721 and the Protection of Phoenix Historic Districts
Phoenix stands at a crossroads. As Arizona’s capital city, the fifth largest in the nation, and a city with one of the richest collections of early- and mid-20th-century neighborhoods in the Southwest, we must decide whether our future growth will respect our past — or erase it.
House Bill 2721, the state’s “Middle Housing Bill,” fundamentally shifts zoning power away from cities and threatens the character, density balance, and historic integrity of Phoenix’s nationally recognized historic districts. While Preserve Phoenix recognizes and supports the urgent need to address Arizona’s housing crisis, we firmly reject the notion that sacrificing the city’s most cherished historic neighborhoods is the solution.
Key Concerns
1. State Overreach & Local Autonomy
HB 2721 removes local control by requiring Phoenix and other large cities to allow duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes “by right” in single-family zones within one mile of the Central Business District and in 20% of all new developments over 10 acres. If Phoenix does not adopt compliant zoning by January 1, 2026, this development will be automatically permitted on all single-family lots without local review — a permanent and irreversible change.
2. Impact on Historic Districts
Phoenix’s 36 historic districts — including Roosevelt, F.Q. Story, Garfield, Coronado, Willo, and others — are among the densest residential neighborhoods in the city, already zoned R-1-6, which has allowed multifamily options since 1998.
These neighborhoods have proven economic, environmental, and social value: higher property values, more walkability, greater tree cover, and stronger small-business job growth.
HB 2721 provides no exemption for historic districts, risking demolition of contributing and non-contributing properties alike, and weakening the integrity of districts that depend on a majority of contributing structures to maintain historic status.
3. Affordable Housing in Name Only
HB 2721 contains no requirement that the housing it allows be affordable. Developers benefitting from this legislation have a poor record of delivering truly affordable housing in Phoenix. Without affordability guarantees, HB 2721 will produce market-rate or luxury units, displacing long-term residents and accelerating gentrification.
4. Precedent for Future State Control
Allowing state preemption to stand unchallenged opens the door to additional statewide zoning mandates. Local governments and residents lose meaningful input over what happens in their neighborhoods.
Preserve Phoenix’s Position
Preserve Phoenix strongly urges the City of Phoenix and the Arizona State Legislature to exempt all registered historic districts from HB 2721. We call on the City Council to act immediately to:
Adopt protective zoning amendments that recognize the unique density and character of historic districts and respect their contribution to Phoenix’s identity.
Retain robust demolition review and design guidelines for contributing structures, ensuring Certificates of Appropriateness and Certificates of Eligibility remain enforceable.
Advocate at the state level for legislative changes that explicitly exempt historic districts from HB 2721’s mandates.
We applaud Councilwoman Laura Pastor’s leadership in championing historic district protections and urge our Mayor and every Councilmember — regardless of district — to join her in defending Phoenix’s historic neighborhoods.
A Call to Action
Preserve Phoenix invites residents, neighborhood leaders, and business owners to join us in protecting our shared history:
Sign the Save Historic Arizona petition at savehistoricaz.com.
Donate to Save Historic
Write to the City Council, Planning & Development Department, and state legislators — urge them to adopt exemptions for historic districts before the January 1, 2026 deadline.
Attend public hearings and speak during council meetings on zoning amendments.
Monitor your neighborhood and report unpermitted demolition or redevelopment activity to the Historic Preservation Office at historic@phoenix.gov.
Support Save Historic Arizona's efforts by donating, volunteering, and sharing information with neighbors.
Our Commitment
Preserve Phoenix is committed to being a partner in smart, sustainable growth that balances the need for housing with the equally urgent need to protect the cultural, economic, and environmental value of our historic districts. Phoenix can grow without losing its soul — but only if we act now.
Once these historic homes and neighborhoods are gone, they are gone forever.