Yes. Buckeye allows an accessory dwelling unit by right on any lot where a single-family detached house is allowed (Development Code §3.3.4.A and Table 3.1-1, as codified through Ord. 12-26 of May 5, 2026): one attached plus one detached ADU per lot, 5-foot rear and side setbacks, no added parking, no second utility meter unless the utility demands one, and a size cap of 75% of the house's gross floor area with no 1,000 sq ft ceiling. It is a building permit only — ADUs are exempt from site plan review and residential design review — and the city publishes three pre-approved casita plans at 200, 600 and 1,000 sq ft. Budget for the fees: about $4,100-$5,600 in permit and plan-review fees for a 600-1,000 sq ft unit under the May 21, 2026 fee schedule, plus development impact fees that the 2025 schedule sets per dwelling unit (roughly $20,600-$26,600 in central Buckeye) with no ADU exemption stated.
In Buckeye you will also hear an ADU called a casita — Arizona's ADU statute (A.R.S. §9-461.18) and most local codes use it. The rules on this page apply either way.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5]
Yes — Buckeye allows ADUs. The size limit is a formula rather than one figure — see the size rule in the table below — under current Arizona and Buckeye zoning rules.
See what this means for your lot — ask Buckeye ADU builders for a quote →
| Allowed Zones | Permitted (P) as an accessory use in every district where a single-family detached dwelling is allowed: AG, R1-43, R1-18, R1-10, R1-6, R1-3, R1-1, MF-1 and DR (Downtown Residential) in Table 3.1-1, keyed to §3.3.4.A, plus the obsolete districts that allow single-family dwellings (Appendix C, note 1). Not listed in MF-2, MH, the NMU/CMU/RMU/IMU/DC mixed-use districts or any commercial or industrial district. Airport-vicinity and tribal land are outside the state mandate (A.R.S. §9-461.18(G)) |
| Max Size (Detached) | 75% of the gross floor area of the single-family dwelling on the same lot (§3.3.4.A.4) — a ratio with no separate square-footage ceiling, so a 1,500-square-foot ADU fits behind a 2,000-square-foot house. The state floor requires only the lesser of 75% or 1,000 square feet (A.R.S. §9-461.18(A)(3)), so Buckeye is more generous for houses over about 1,333 square feet. Gross floor area runs to the exterior faces of exterior walls, less underground parking, uncovered steps and balconies (§10.3) |
| Max Size (Attached) | Same rule — 75% of the house's gross floor area, no flat ceiling (§3.3.4.A.4); the ADU must be smaller than the house (§3.5 definition) |
| Max Size (JADU) | Not a category in Arizona — Buckeye's Development Code has no junior ADU designation; a converted room or garage is simply an attached ADU under §3.3.4.A |
| Max Height | The principal-dwelling height of the district, because an ADU follows the site and building standards for principal dwellings (§3.3.4.A.2) rather than the 24-foot cap on ordinary accessory structures (§3.3.3.C.2, which excepts ADUs): 35 feet in AG, R1-43, R1-18, R1-10 and R1-6; 45 feet in R1-3 and R1-1; 40 feet in MF-1 (Table 4.1-1); DR follows §5.13.4.H |
| Max Units | 2 per single-family lot — one attached plus one detached ADU (§3.3.4.A.3.a). A lot developed as a duplex may add one ADU (§3.3.4.A.3.b). On a lot of 1 acre or more, at least one additional detached ADU if at least one ADU is a restricted-affordable unit, deed-restricted with proof provided as a condition of the building permit (§3.3.4.A.3.c) |
Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5]
Buckeye requires a rear setback of about 5 ft for a detached ADU, and no additional parking is required. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.
| Rear Setback | 5 feet from the property line — the ADU exception to the district's principal-dwelling rear setback (§3.3.4.A.2), which otherwise runs 40 ft in AG, 30 ft in R1-43 and R1-18, 25 ft in R1-10, 20 ft in R1-6, 10 ft in R1-3, 8 ft in R1-1 and 15 ft in MF-1 (Table 4.1-1); state law bars the city from requiring more than 5 feet (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(6)) |
| Side Setback | 5 feet from the property line (§3.3.4.A.2) — the state-law ceiling; corner lots next to an arterial right-of-way add 5 feet on that side (Table 4.1-1, note 3) |
| Front Setback | The district's front setback for a principal dwelling (§3.3.4.A.2; Table 4.1-1): 40 ft in AG and R1-43, 25 ft in R1-18, 20 ft in R1-10, 12 ft in R1-6 and R1-3, 0 ft in R1-1, 15 ft in MF-1; a front-loaded garage sits 40 ft back in AG and R1-43, 25 ft in R1-18 and 20 ft in the other districts |
| Parking Required | None — 'Parking for vehicles is not required for an ADU' (§3.3.4.A.7; A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(3)), and the city may not charge an in-lieu fee |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required — §3.3.4.A is silent on occupancy and rental terms, and state law bars Buckeye from prohibiting separate long-term leasing of the house or the ADU or requiring any family or other relationship between occupants (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(1)-(2)). A rented ADU is residential rental property that must be registered with the Maricopa County Assessor (City Code Article 8-10) |
| Min Lot Size | No ADU-specific minimum lot size, and ADUs are exempt from the district's maximum residential density (§3.3.4.A.6). Lot coverage applies only where Table 4.1-1 sets a maximum (25% in AG, 30% in R1-43; the R1-18 through MF-1 cells carry none). A lot of 1 acre or more can add a third unit (see units) |
Permit Process & Fees [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
An ADU permit in Buckeye goes through a ministerial, by-right review. Typical timeline: about 10 business days for the first plan review of a residential accessory structure, then 5 business days for each later review (Plan Review Timeframes Guideline, effective Sept 28, 2023, average per review); total time depends on resubmittals. Fees range from $4,100-$5,600 in permit and plan-review fees for a 600-1,000 sq ft casita (Development User Fee Schedule, Res. 38-26, effective May 21, 2026: Table 1-A permit fee on the ICC valuation of $175.92/sq ft, plus 65% plan review and a $54 plot-plan review).
| Approval Process | A by-right building permit through Buckeye's online Permit Portal, reviewed administratively by Development Services (The Landing, 945 N 215th Ave, Suite 137; 623-349-6200). No hearing, use permit or design review: an ADU is a permitted use (Table 3.1-1), residential projects of up to four units are exempt from Site Plan review (§8.9.2.A.1) and residential accessory structures are exempt from Residential Design Review (§8.10.2.A.2). Submit a site plan showing property lines, setbacks, easements, square footage and lot coverage (Pre-Approved Housing Plan Checklist). To use a city pre-approved casita plan, name the plan on the application; the plans cannot be used if the geotechnical report needs a different foundation, any change to the drawings is wanted, the unit misses a setback or sits within 5 feet of a property line, the lot is in a flood hazard area, or the ADU would exceed 75% of the house |
| Review Timeline | about 10 business days for the first plan review of a residential accessory structure, then 5 business days for each later review (Plan Review Timeframes Guideline, effective Sept 28, 2023, average per review); total time depends on resubmittals |
| Permit Fees | $4,100-$5,600 in permit and plan-review fees for a 600-1,000 sq ft casita (Development User Fee Schedule, Res. 38-26, effective May 21, 2026: Table 1-A permit fee on the ICC valuation of $175.92/sq ft, plus 65% plan review and a $54 plot-plan review) |
| Impact Fees | Yes — Resolution 04-25 (adopted Feb 18, 2025, effective May 5, 2025) charges residential development fees per dwelling unit with no ADU category or exemption. For a low/medium-density unit in central Buckeye (Main fire area, Central water and wastewater): fire $1,762, library $605, parks $1,655 north or $3,119 south, police $1,657, streets $2,387, water $9,536, wastewater $7,524 — about $25,100-$26,600; the high-density row totals about $20,600. Fees are due before permit issuance (Ch. 18-10). Whether the city charges an ADU the full per-unit amount is not stated — get an estimate through the Impact Fee Request Form before budgeting |
| Plan Check | Full plan review under Buckeye's building and fire codes (Chapter 15). No separate utility service unless the public utility determines a separate meter is required for safety (§3.3.4.A.5). State law bars a commercial building code or a fire-sprinkler requirement for an ADU (A.R.S. §9-461.18(D)). Third and later reviews cost $130 per hour, re-inspections $106, expedited review doubles the fee, and a permit expires after 180 days without an inspection (fee schedule §0 and §4) |
| Pre-Approved Plans | Yes — three pre-approved ADU plans, Buckeye Casita 200, Saguaro Casita 600 and Sonoran Casita 1000 (square feet — the three sizes A.R.S. §9-461.20(A)(4) requires from July 1, 2026), each with three elevations and a floor plan, under the Pre-Approved Housing and ADU Design Plan Program; three house plans at 1,200, 1,600 and 2,000 sq ft sit alongside them. Any deviation (wall changes, slab to wood floor, structural or truss changes) voids the pre-approval |
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Construction Costs [15][16][17]
Building an ADU in Buckeye typically costs $150,000-$280,000 ($175-$350 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $80,000-$150,000.
See what this means for your lot — ask Buckeye ADU builders for a quote →
| Average Build Cost | $150,000-$280,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $175-$350 |
| Garage Conversion | $80,000-$150,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $150,000-$300,000 |
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Rental Income Potential [18][19][20][21]
A 2-bedroom ADU in Buckeye rents for around $1,700-$2,150/mo, an estimated 6-11% gross rental yield.
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,350-$1,750/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $1,700-$2,150/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | No local short-term rental licence or ordinance was found in the Buckeye City Code (Chapters 7, 8 and 10, codified through May 5, 2026) or on the city website, so state law governs: Arizona bars cities from prohibiting v. |
| Est. Annual ROI | 6-11% gross rental yield |
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Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- Re-verified Sept 20, 2026 against the Municode text codified through Ord. No. 12-26 (May 5, 2026; Supp. 22, Update 1): Development Code §3.3.4.A, Table 3.1-1 and Table 4.1-1 are unchanged since Ord. No. 28-25 (adopted Oct 21, 2025; the amended Development Code took effect Nov 20, 2025 under §1.1). Ord. 12-26 amended only §20-13 (off-site improvements); no ordinance is pending codification
- Development User Fee Schedule replaced by Resolution 38-26, effective May 21, 2026 — building permit fees from Table 1-A on ICC valuation, plan review 65% of the permit fee, third-and-later reviews $130 per hour
- Development impact fees re-adopted by Resolution 04-25 (Feb 18, 2025), effective May 5, 2025, assessed per dwelling unit by density class and service area; the schedule contains no ADU line
- A.R.S. §9-461.20 requires every city to offer at least three pre-approved ADU plans at 200, 600 and 1,000 sq ft from July 1, 2026 — Buckeye's Buckeye Casita 200, Saguaro Casita 600 and Sonoran Casita 1000 already meet that
- A.R.S. §9-461.18 (HB 2720) is unchanged in 2026: cities over 75,000 people must allow one attached and one detached ADU by right wherever single-family homes are allowed, with no added parking, no design matching and rear/side setbacks of no more than 5 feet — Buckeye's 114,334 residents (Census Vintage 2024) put it inside the mandate
Tips for Building an ADU in Buckeye
- Do the 75% arithmetic first: Buckeye's only size rule is 75% of the house's gross floor area, so a 1,400 sq ft house allows a 1,050 sq ft casita — above the 1,000 sq ft ceiling in most Valley cities — while a 1,000 sq ft house allows only 750. Ask Planning whether it measures gross floor area by the code's exterior-wall definition (§10.3), which can include an attached garage
- Start with the pre-approved plans: the Saguaro Casita 600 or Sonoran Casita 1000 goes straight to permit if your lot meets setbacks, is outside a flood hazard area and the unit stays under 75% of the house — but any change to the drawings, even a moved wall, voids the pre-approval
- Fee worked example (Res. 38-26 schedule, ICC Feb 2026 valuation of $175.92/sq ft): a 600 sq ft casita is valued at about $105,600 — permit $2,405 + $13 per $1,000 over $100,000 = $2,483, plan review 65% = $1,614, plot plan $54 — about $4,150; a 1,000 sq ft casita valued at $175,920 comes to about $5,650
- Get the impact-fee estimate before you sign a contract: the 2025 schedule runs about $20,600-$26,600 per dwelling unit in central Buckeye (water $9,536 and wastewater $7,524 alone), and nothing in the fee report exempts an ADU — file the city's Impact Fee Request Form and budget the answer
- No second meter unless the utility demands one (§3.3.4.A.5), which saves the water-tap and meter charges some neighbouring cities require — but note the water and wastewater development fees are charged per dwelling unit, not per meter
- The 5-foot rear and side setback is the ADU exception (§3.3.4.A.2); the district's normal rear setback is 8 to 40 feet, so cite the exception on your site plan
- A duplex lot can add one ADU here (§3.3.4.A.3.b) — unusual in Arizona, where most cities bar ADUs on any multi-unit lot
- Wheels are out: mobile homes, industrialized housing, RVs, travel trailers and any other transportable structure cannot be an ADU (§3.3.4.A.2)
- Renting it out: register the property with the Maricopa County Assessor as residential rental property (City Code Article 8-10; a newly acquired rental that is not registered faces a $1,000 civil penalty plus $100 a month)
- Cost basis: 2026 Phoenix-metro builder guides (Fenn Rogers May 2026, Rise Above 2026, Dwelling Index May 2026) — mid-range detached 500-800 sq ft $150K-$250K, custom $250K-$400K+, garage conversion $80K-$150K, $175-$350 per sq ft; rents from HUD FY2027 Small Area FMRs for 85326 ($1,610 1BR / $1,870 2BR) and 85396 ($1,940 / $2,250) and RentCafe Buckeye (Aug 31, 2026: $1,368 / $1,747)
- Cost basis (2026-09-20 re-verification): short term allowed: No local short-term rental licence or ordinance was found in the Buckeye City Code (Chapters 7, 8 and 10, codified through May 5, 2026) or on the city website, so state law governs: Arizona bars cities from prohibiting vacation rentals but lets them require the owner to live on the property when an ADU finaled on or after September 14, 2024 is rented short-term (A.R.S. §9-500.39(B)(9)) — Buckeye has not adopted that rule; confirm with the city before listing. Long-term leasing of the house and ADU separately (90 days or longer, or month to month) is guaranteed (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(1), (I)(3))
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Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- Buckeye Code of Ordinances, Chapter 7 Development Code — §1.1 (effective Nov 20, 2025), Table 3.1-1 Table of Allowed Uses, §3.3.3-3.3.4.A Accessory Dwelling Units, §3.5 definitions, Table 4.1-1 Dimensional Standards, §8.9.2, §8.10.2, §10.3 (Ord. No. 28-25, 10-21-2025; codified through Ord. No. 12-26, 5-5-2026, Supp. 22 Update 1) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- City of Buckeye — Development Code page (Phase 2 update adopted by City Council October 21, 2025) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- A.R.S. §9-461.18 — Accessory dwelling units; regulation; applicability; definitions state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
- A.R.S. §9-461.20 — Standard preapproved housing design plans (Class 4 ADU plans at 200, 600 and 1,000 sq ft from July 1, 2026) state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
- A.R.S. §9-500.39 — Vacation rentals; short-term rentals (B)(9) owner-residency option for ADUs finaled on or after Sept 14, 2024 state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Pre-Approved Housing Design and Accessory Dwelling Units — City of Buckeye Building Safety (three ADU plans 200/600/1,000 sq ft; conditions; Pre-Approved Housing Plan Checklist) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Development User Fee Schedule — Effective May 21, 2026 (Resolution 38-26): §0 General Requirements, §4 Building Safety, Table 1-A Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- ICC Building Valuation Data — February 2026 table as posted by Buckeye Permit Center (R-3 one- and two-family, Type VB $175.92/sq ft) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Plan Review Timeframes Guideline — City of Buckeye Development Services (revised 9/27/2023, effective 9/28/2023; Residential Misc. 10/5/5 business days) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Permit Center — City of Buckeye (fee schedule, ICC valuation table, review timeframes, Permit Portal) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Impact Fees — City of Buckeye Finance (fees adopted Feb 18, 2025, effective May 5, 2025; Impact Fee Request Form) government — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Resolution No. 04-25 — Adopting Development Fees (passed Feb 18, 2025; fees effective May 5, 2025) government — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Land Use Assumptions, Infrastructure Improvements Plan and Development Fee Report (TischlerBise, Feb 18, 2025) — Figures 6, 7 and 8, adopted fees per dwelling unit government — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Buckeye Code of Ordinances, Chapter 18 Development Impact Fees — §18-10 Collection (fees due before building permit; assessed on added service units) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Fenn Rogers — ADU Cost & Rules in Arizona (updated May 12, 2026; Phoenix-metro ranges) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Rise Above Remodeling — How Much Does It Cost to Build a Casita in Arizona (2026 guide) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Dwelling Index — Modular ADU cost guide (May 27, 2026) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents — Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ MSA, ZIP 85326 ($1,500/$1,610/$1,870) and 85396 ($1,800/$1,940/$2,250) (0/1/2 BR) Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- RentCafe — Average Rent in Buckeye, AZ (updated August 31, 2026: 1BR $1,368, 2BR $1,747; city average $1,822) Market Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Buckeye Code of Ordinances, Chapter 8 Article 8-10 — Registration of Residential Rental Property (Ord. 27-10) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- U.S. Census Bureau — Vintage 2024 Population Estimates, sub-est2024.csv (Buckeye city, AZ: 114,334) Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-06
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Buckeye?
Yes. ADUs are allowed in Permitted (P) as an accessory use in every district where a single-family detached dwelling is allowed: AG, R1-43, R1-18, R1-10, R1-6, R1-3, R1-1, MF-1 and DR (Downtown Residential) in Table 3.1-1, keyed to §3.3.4.A, plus the obsolete districts that allow single-family dwellings (Appendix C, note 1). Not listed in MF-2, MH, the NMU/CMU/RMU/IMU/DC mixed-use districts or any commercial or industrial district. Airport-vicinity and tribal land are outside the state mandate (A.R.S. §9-461.18(G)) in Buckeye. The maximum size for a detached ADU is 75% of the gross floor area of the single-family dwelling on the same lot (§3.3.4.A.4) — a ratio with no separate square-footage ceiling, so a 1,500-square-foot ADU fits behind a 2,000-square-foot house. The state floor requires only the lesser of 75% or 1,000 square feet (A.R.S. §9-461.18(A)(3)), so Buckeye is more generous for houses over about 1,333 square feet. Gross floor area runs to the exterior faces of exterior walls, less underground parking, uncovered steps and balconies (§10.3). Owner-occupancy is not required, so you can rent out the ADU.
How much does an ADU cost in Buckeye?
ADU construction in Buckeye typically costs $150,000-$280,000. Garage conversions run $80,000-$150,000, and prefab ADUs cost $150,000-$300,000.
How much can I rent an ADU for in Buckeye?
Average ADU rents in Buckeye are $1,350-$1,750/mo for a 1-bedroom and $1,700-$2,150/mo for a 2-bedroom unit.
Do I need parking for an ADU in Buckeye?
None — 'Parking for vehicles is not required for an ADU' (§3.3.4.A.7; A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(3)), and the city may not charge an in-lieu fee. Check with Buckeye planning department for the latest Arizona ADU parking rules, as many states have relaxed requirements in recent years.
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Buckeye?
The permit review timeline in Buckeye is about 10 business days for the first plan review of a residential accessory structure, then 5 business days for each later review (Plan Review Timeframes Guideline, effective Sept 28, 2023, average per review); total time depends on resubmittals. Fees range from $4,100-$5,600 in permit and plan-review fees for a 600-1,000 sq ft casita (Development User Fee Schedule, Res. 38-26, effective May 21, 2026: Table 1-A permit fee on the ICC valuation of $175.92/sq ft, plus 65% plan review and a $54 plot-plan review).
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