Chandler casitas (85249): rules, limits and costs

Chandler casita rules

Chandler adopted Ordinance 5113 in December 2024 to follow the state ADU law (Ordinance 5113).

• Arizona's 2024 casita law (HB 2720, ARS 9-461.18) requires cities with more than 75,000 people to allow one attached and one detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on single-family lots without a public hearing.
• Under these laws, cities and counties cannot require more than a 5-foot side or rear setback for an ADU, cannot require extra parking for it, and cannot require it to match your home's design.
• Cities and counties must allow an ADU of at least 75% of the home's interior living area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less. Some allow larger ADUs with extra conditions.
• You can rent an ADU long-term (90 days or more, or month to month). The city cannot require the tenant to be a relative or employee.
• The state ADU laws do not override HOA rules. If your HOA's CC&Rs limit casitas or tall detached buildings, those rules still apply.

Garages attached to a casita

In Chandler, a garage attached to an ADU must meet the normal setbacks. The 5-foot ADU setback covers only the living space. If you want a casita with a garage, plan the garage part inside the district setbacks.

Shops and RV garages in Chandler

• Height: detached accessory buildings other than ADUs are limited to 15 feet tall.
• Setbacks: they must meet the district's side and rear setbacks.
• A 14 ft door: usually means 16 to 18 foot walls and an 18 to 22 foot peak. So an RV garage is a hard fit in standard Chandler zoning. A shop with a standard door is more realistic.

Some Chandler neighborhoods have PAD zoning with different rules, so check your subdivision's plan. Chandler also publishes a detached buildings chart.

More on costs: RV garage cost by size and RV garage with a casita.

Chandler cost notes

There is no Chandler-specific casita price list we trust, so use our East Valley rates: $195 to $265 per sq ft at 500 sq ft and up, and $270 to $396 under 500 sq ft.

A 450 sq ft Standard casita comes to $140,400 to $159,300 in the calculator. Since tall shops are limited, many Chandler owners put the budget into the casita itself.

How to choose a casita builder in Chandler

We do not rank or recommend builders. Use this checklist with any contractor you talk to.

1. Check the ROC license. Search the contractor on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors site. Make sure the license is active and covers residential work, and that the name matches the bid.
2. Ask for proof of insurance. Get a certificate for liability insurance, and for workers' comp if they have employees.
3. Get a written bid. It should list plans, permits, site work, utility runs, the slab, AC and finishes, plus any allowances. Compare it line by line with our line items.
4. The contractor should pull the permits. Ask who pulls them. If you are asked to pull them yourself, ask why.
5. Tie payments to finished work. Avoid paying most of the price up front.
6. Ask for local projects. Ask how they plan around Chandler's 15 ft limit for accessory buildings other than ADUs.

Areas we cover

South Chandler ZIP 85249. If your lot is in a county island inside Chandler, county rules apply instead. See county island casitas.