Everything homeowners ask about building an ADU in Goodyear — answered with 2026 data.
Yes, ADUs are allowed in Single-family lots (Goodyear Zoning Ordinance §3.12.3.A.1, effective August 5, 2026). Excluded: lots in the territory in the vicinity of a military airport or ancillary military facility (A.R.S. §28-8461 — Luke Air Force Base) or of an FAA commercially licensed, general aviation or public airport (A.R.S. §28-8486) with a noise level above 65 decibels — Phoenix Goodyear Airport is inside the city (§3.12.3.A.2) in Goodyear, AZ. The maximum size for a detached ADU is No larger than 75% of the gross floor area of the principal single-family dwelling or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less (Goodyear Zoning Ordinance §3.12.3.A.8). Attached ADUs can be up to Same cap — the lesser of 75% of the house's gross floor area or 1,000 sq ft. Goodyear has an ADU-friendliness score of 7/10. Check our full Goodyear ADU rules page for complete zoning details.
ADU construction in Goodyear typically costs $120,000-$245,000. The cost per square foot averages $145-$270. Garage conversions are more affordable at $55,000-$135,000, while prefab ADUs cost $85,000-$200,000. Permit fees add Building permit and plan review fees per the Development Services Fee Schedule (Development Center → Fees), paid through Accela (2.75% card fee) — confirm current amounts with Goodyear Development Services to your budget. See our detailed Goodyear ADU cost guide.
Detached ADUs in Goodyear can be up to No larger than 75% of the gross floor area of the principal single-family dwelling or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less. Attached ADUs are limited to Same cap — the lesser of 75% of the house's gross floor area or 1,000 sq ft. Junior ADUs (JADUs) have a cap of Not a category in Arizona — Goodyear's ordinance has no junior ADU designation; its separate 'guest house' category (§3.12.4) is not an ADU and may never be rented. Maximum height is The same building height as the principal single-family dwelling on the lot (§3.12.3.A.6) — not the 12-foot cap that applies to ordinary accessory buildings (§3.12.2); state law bars a stricter ADU height than the house's (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(5)). You are allowed up to 2 per lot — one attached plus one detached ADU on a qualifying lot.
Rear setback: 5 feet (§3.12.3.A.5); state law caps what the city may require at 5 feet (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(6)). Note that the general accessory-building rule sends buildings with sleeping facilities to the principal-building setbacks (§3.12.2) — the ADU-specific 5-foot rule is the more specific provision and matches the state cap; ask the planner to confirm how they reconcile the two. Side setback: 5 feet (§3.12.3.A.5) — the state-law ceiling. Front setback: The same front and street setback as the principal single-family dwelling on the lot (§3.12.3.A.6) — the district standard for your zone. Note that garage conversions may be exempt from setback requirements if the existing structure is already within the setback area.
None required — the ADU 'may include, but is not required to have, a parking area or attached garage' (§3.12.3.A.7; A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(3)). Many cities and states have been relaxing ADU parking requirements in recent years. In California, no additional parking is required for ADUs near transit.
Not required — §3.12.3 is silent on occupancy and rental terms, and under state law Goodyear may not prohibit leasing or advertising either the house or the ADU as separate long-term rental housing, nor require any familial or other relationship between occupants (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(1)-(2)). Short-term rental rules are separate — confirm with the city. Note that owner-occupancy rules vary by state law — California and several other states have eliminated this requirement for standard ADUs.
The ADU permit review timeline in Goodyear is typically Confirm with Goodyear Development Services — the city publishes review times on its Development Resources page; minor 'EZ Permits' are approved within 5 business days, but a new ADU is a full residential permit. Plan check: Full residential plan review under Goodyear's adopted building and fire codes; the ADU must be self-contained with a bedroom and bathroom and may include a kitchen (§3.12.3.A.7). State law bars a commercial building code or a fire-sprinkler requirement for an ADU (A.R.S. §9-461.18(D)). Pre-approved plans availability: Coming: Goodyear's SMART program (Streamlined Municipal Approved Residential Types, under A.R.S. §9-461.20) reserves three pre-approved ADU plan classes at 200, 600 and 1,000 sq ft — all still 'Seeking Submittals' as of September 2026, so no plan is available yet. A pre-approved plan is not a permit; a site-specific application is still required.
Average ADU rental income in Goodyear: 1-bedroom units rent for $1,250-$1,600/month, 2-bedroom units for $1,500-$1,900/month. Short-term rentals: Confirm with the City of Goodyear — §3.12.3 does not address short-term rental of an ADU, and Arizona limits how far cities may restrict vacation rentals (A.R.S. §9-500.39). What state law does guarantee is the long-term side: Goodyear cannot prohibit leasing the house or the ADU separately on a 90-day-or-longer or month-to-month basis (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(1), (I)(3)). Note the older guest-house category may never be leased or rented (§3.12.4.A.4) — that is a reason to permit your unit as an ADU. Expected ROI: 6-9% annual return.
The minimum lot size for an ADU in Goodyear is No ADU-specific minimum lot size — the guest-house category's 15,000 sq ft minimum (§3.12.4) does not apply to ADUs. A lot of 1 acre or more unlocks a third unit (§3.12.3.A.9). This applies to detached ADUs — garage conversions and JADUs may have different or no lot size requirements.
Garage conversions are one of the most popular and affordable ADU options. In Goodyear, a garage conversion typically costs $55,000-$135,000. The key advantages are lower cost (no foundation work), potential setback exemptions, and faster permitting. Read our complete garage conversion guide.
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