In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant changes to local housing regulations, particularly focusing on the \"Home of My Own\" program and the requirements for garages and storage in residential properties.

The \"Home of My Own\" initiative aims to facilitate affordable housing development on small residential lots, including those in mobile home zones. The proposed language allows for the construction of affordable homes on both legal and nonconforming lots, enabling residents to demonstrate that their homes meet affordability criteria. This program is intended to address housing shortages and provide more options for residents.

A key point of discussion was the current requirement for single-family residences to include either a garage or a minimum of 100 square feet of enclosed storage. Officials suggested that this requirement may be unnecessary, particularly in Prescott Valley, where the climate does not necessitate garages as in hotter regions. The meeting raised the possibility of eliminating this requirement altogether, citing the prevalence of self-storage facilities in the area.

Additionally, the meeting touched on the topic of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Recent state legislation mandates that municipalities with populations over 75,000 must allow both attached and detached ADUs, potentially increasing housing density significantly. For smaller municipalities, while they are not required to adopt similar regulations, they must adhere to certain rules if they choose to allow ADUs. These include prohibiting additional parking requirements and restrictions on the appearance of ADUs compared to the main residence. Furthermore, the legislation limits local governments' ability to impose conditions on ADUs regarding their use as short-term rentals, although they can require that either the ADU or the main house be occupied by the property owner.

These discussions reflect ongoing efforts to adapt local housing policies to meet community needs while navigating new state regulations. The proposed changes aim to enhance housing affordability and flexibility in Prescott Valley, addressing both current challenges and future growth.