Chandler allows one attached and one detached ADU by right on any lot where a single-family dwelling is the principal use, under Ordinance 5113 (adopted December 9, 2024) implementing Arizona HB 2720. ADUs are capped at 75% of the primary home's gross floor area or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less, with 5-foot minimum rear/side setbacks. Chandler imposes specific exterior design standards (stucco/EIFS walls and concrete tile roof, or matching the primary residence) and requires shared utility meters.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3]
| Allowed Zones | Any lot or parcel where a single-family dwelling is the principal use (Chandler City Code 35-2202.2, residential districts incl. AG-1, SF-D and others amended by Ord. 5113) |
| Max Size (Detached) | 75% of the single-family dwelling's gross floor area (interior habitable area) or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less |
| Max Size (Attached) | 75% of the single-family dwelling's gross floor area or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less |
| Max Size (JADU) | Not a defined category in Chandler; internal ADUs follow standard ADU rules |
| Max Height | Same as the building height limit of the underlying zoning district |
| Max Units | 1 attached + 1 detached per lot; a 3rd detached ADU allowed on lots of 1+ acre if at least one ADU is deed-restricted affordable (80% AMI) |
Setback Requirements [1][2][3]
| Rear Setback | 5 feet minimum (uninhabitable space attached to an ADU, e.g. a garage, must meet full district setbacks) |
| Side Setback | 5 feet minimum |
| Front Setback | Same as front yard setback of the underlying zoning district |
| Parking Required | No additional parking may be required for ADUs under AZ HB 2720 (ARS 9-461.18); Chandler's prior 1-space ADU requirement was superseded by Ord. 5113 |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required |
| Min Lot Size | None specified in 35-2202.2; lots with an ADU cannot be split unless each resulting lot meets district minimums |
Permit Process & Fees [4][5]
| Approval Process | Standard building permit through Chandler Development Services (ADUs are by right, no use permit); free pre-technical review available before submittal |
| Review Timeline | Confirm with Chandler Development Services (480-782-3000) |
| Permit Fees | Valuation-based per Chandler fee schedule using ICC Building Valuation Data (minimum permit fee $60); third-party guides estimate roughly 1.5-2% of construction value plus plan review — confirm exact amounts with Chandler Development Services |
| Impact Fees | Confirm with Chandler Development Services |
| Plan Check | Confirm with Chandler Development Services |
| Pre-Approved Plans | No city pre-approved ADU plan program identified as of June 2026 — confirm with Chandler Planning Division |
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Construction Costs [6][7]
| Average Build Cost | $125,000-$250,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $140-$280 |
| Garage Conversion | $60,000-$140,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $85,000-$200,000 |
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Rental Income Potential [8]
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,350-$1,700/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $1,600-$2,000/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | Not addressed in ADU section 35-2202.2; Chandler requires short-term rental licensing citywide (City Code Chapter 22) and previously prohibited STR use of ADUs — confirm with Chandler Planning Division |
| Est. Annual ROI | 6-9% annual return |
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Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- Chandler Ordinance 5113 (adopted December 9, 2024): added City Code Section 35-2202.2 allowing 1 attached + 1 detached ADU by right on single-family lots, capped at 75% of primary GFA or 1,000 sq ft, with 5-ft rear/side setbacks, shared utility meters, separate-entrance requirement, and exterior design standards (stucco/EIFS + 4:12 concrete tile roof, or matching the primary residence)
- Arizona HB 2720 (signed May 21, 2024; ARS 9-461.18): mandated these amendments for cities over 75,000 population by January 1, 2025; bars extra parking, owner-occupancy, and design-matching requirements
- Arizona HB 2928 (signed May 2025): extended similar ADU mandates to large counties
Tips for Building an ADU in Chandler
- Chandler offers a design menu: either match the primary home's materials/colors/style, or use stucco/EIFS walls with a 4:12 concrete tile roof — decide early because it constrains prefab options
- Only the habitable ADU gets the 5-ft setback allowance; an attached garage or storage room on the ADU must still meet full district rear/side setbacks
- Separate utility meters are prohibited — the ADU must share the primary home's water, sewer, and electric service, so verify panel capacity before design
- Use Chandler's free pre-technical review through Development Services before submitting plans; lots with an ADU cannot later be split unless each lot independently meets zoning minimums
Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- Chandler Ordinance No. 5113 — 2024 City Code Amendments (ADU Section 35-2202.2, full text) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-06-10
- Chandler Prepares for City Code Amendments to Reflect New State Laws — City of Chandler Planning Department — Accessed 2026-06-10
- Arizona HB 2720 Bill Summary (ARS 9-461.18) — Arizona Legislature state_law — Accessed 2026-06-10
- Chandler Building Safety Plan Review, Permits and Inspections Planning Department — Accessed 2026-06-10
- Chandler Homeowner's Building Permit Manual (PDF) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-06-10
- HomeAdvisor — ADU Construction Cost Data Market Data — Accessed 2026-06-10
- Angi — Guest House / ADU Build Costs Market Data — Accessed 2026-06-10
- RentCafe — Average Rent in Chandler, AZ (April/May 2026: 1BR $1,506, 2BR $1,777) Market Data — Accessed 2026-06-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Chandler?
Yes. ADUs are allowed in Any lot or parcel where a single-family dwelling is the principal use (Chandler City Code 35-2202.2, residential districts incl. AG-1, SF-D and others amended by Ord. 5113) in Chandler. The maximum size for a detached ADU is 75% of the single-family dwelling's gross floor area (interior habitable area) or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less. No owner-occupancy is required.
How much does an ADU cost in Chandler?
ADU construction in Chandler typically costs $125,000-$250,000. Garage conversions run $60,000-$140,000, and prefab ADUs cost $85,000-$200,000.
How much can I rent an ADU for in Chandler?
Average ADU rents in Chandler are $1,350-$1,700/mo for a 1-bedroom and $1,600-$2,000/mo for a 2-bedroom unit.
Do I need parking for an ADU in Chandler?
No additional parking may be required for ADUs under AZ HB 2720 (ARS 9-461.18); Chandler's prior 1-space ADU requirement was superseded by Ord. 5113. Check with Chandler 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 Chandler?
The permit review timeline in Chandler is Confirm with Chandler Development Services (480-782-3000). Fees range from Valuation-based per Chandler fee schedule using ICC Building Valuation Data (minimum permit fee $60); third-party guides estimate roughly 1.5-2% of construction value plus plan review — confirm exact amounts with Chandler Development Services.
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