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HB 2447

Revenue and taxation; broadband communications; income tax credit; effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Fetgatter

Arizona HB 2447 lets cities approve certain land-use plans via admin review, allows self-certification by licensed pros, and enables at-risk and expedited permits.

Second Reading referred to Rules
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Bill Summary · HB 2447

Summary — HB 2447 (Arizona) — "LOCAL GOVERNMENT‑TECH"

Status: Chaptered (approved by Governor March 31, 2025) — Effective date: December 31, 2025
Primary topic: Amendment to A.R.S. § 9‑500.49 (municipal administrative review, self‑certification, expedited approval)

Main purpose

HB 2447 revises A.R.S. § 9‑500.49 to expand and clarify the authority of city and town legislative bodies (municipalities) to use administrative procedures — rather than public hearings — for certain land use and development approvals, and to authorize local self‑certification programs allowing licensed design professionals to certify compliance with applicable ordinances and standards. The bill seeks to streamline municipal review/approval processes and create options for expedited permits and at‑risk submittals.

Key provisions and changes

  • Municipal ordinance authority: The legislative body of a city or town may (by ordinance) do the following:
    1. Authorize administrative personnel to review and approve site plans, development plans, land divisions, lot line adjustments, lot ties, preliminary plats, final plats and plat amendments without a public hearing.
    2. Authorize administrative personnel to review and approve design review plans that are judged by objective standards, without a public hearing.
    3. Adopt a self‑certification program allowing registered architects and professional engineers to certify (and be responsible for) compliance with all applicable ordinances and construction standards for projects the ordinance identifies as eligible for self‑certification.
    4. Allow "at‑risk" submittals for certain on‑site preliminary grading, drainage work or infrastructure (i.e., work begun before final approvals when done at the applicant’s risk).
    5. Allow applicants with documented histories of compliance with building codes/regulations to be eligible for expedited permit review.
  • Licensing and definitions:
    • Applications for a license under this section are subject to chapter 7, article 4 of the municipal title (licensing provisions).
    • "License" is defined by reference to A.R.S. § 9‑831.
    • "Objective" is defined as standards verifiable by reference to an adopted benchmark, standard or criterion available and knowable by the applicant.
  • Effective date: law takes effect December 31, 2025.

Who is affected

  • Municipal governments: city/town councils may adopt (by ordinance) processes that reduce public hearings and shift certain approvals to administrative staff.
  • Registered architects and professional engineers: may participate in municipal self‑certification programs and assume responsibility for code/ordinance compliance for eligible projects.
  • Developers, property owners, and applicants: may obtain faster administrative approvals, at‑risk submittals, and expedited permit review if eligible.
  • General public: fewer matters may be decided after a public hearing, potentially reducing public input opportunities on certain plan and plat approvals.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Streamlining: likely to speed permitting and reduce workload for planning bodies when municipalities adopt the options allowed by the statute.
  • Accountability and liability: self‑certification places professional responsibility on certifying architects/engineers; municipalities may need to address oversight, enforcement, and potential legal exposure.
  • Public participation: reduced requirement for public hearings could limit opportunities for community input on some development actions unless municipalities retain hearing requirements by ordinance.
  • Local control: the statute authorizes municipalities to adopt these options by ordinance — it does not mandate uniform adoption across all cities/towns.

Note: The legislative file included an unrelated Illinois bill text; this summary focuses on the Arizona A.R.S. § 9‑500.49 amendment that is the subject of HB 2447 in the provided document.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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