Buckeye, Arizona zoning

A plain-language summary of the Buckeye zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on Municode, last reviewed July 3, 2026.

Zoning districts

AGResidential
Agricultural
Continued agricultural and ranching use, and a holding zone for undeveloped land until it can be developed at urban standards (Sec. 2.2.2). No minimum lot size beyond the citywide dimensional chart. Confirm the current zoning map and any PAD or overlay conditions before acting.
R1-43Residential
Single-Family Residential 43
Low-density residential with limited agricultural, animal, and ranching privileges, transitioning between agricultural uses and more intense development (Sec. 2.2.3). Minimum lot size 43,000 square feet.
R1-18Residential
Single-Family Residential 18
Large-lot single-family district at low urban density, prohibiting commercial, office, and industrial uses (Sec. 2.3.2). Minimum lot size 18,000 square feet.
R1-10Residential
Single-Family Residential 10
Single-family district at a greater density than R1-18, prohibiting commercial and industrial uses (Sec. 2.3.3). Minimum lot size 10,000 square feet.
R1-6Residential
Single-Family Residential 6
Medium-lot single-family district at a higher density than R1-18 and R1-10 (Sec. 2.3.4). Minimum lot size 6,000 square feet.
R1-3Residential
Single-Family Residential 3
Small-lot single-family district that also allows middle housing types such as duplexes and townhomes (Sec. 2.3.5). Minimum lot size 3,000 square feet.
R1-1Residential
Residential 1
The smallest-lot single-family district, also allowing duplexes and townhomes (Sec. 2.3.6). Minimum lot size 1,000 square feet.
MF-1Residential
Multi-Family 1
Multi-family district for apartments, condominiums, and bungalow communities at medium to high density, with an emphasis on site design and screening (Sec. 2.3.7). Maximum density 15.0 dwelling units per gross acre.
MF-2Residential
Multi-Family 2
Urban-density multi-family district for mid- or high-rise development along major corridors and near business centers, not intended near lower-density single-family areas (Sec. 2.3.8). No maximum density; 15.1 dwelling units per gross acre minimum.
MHResidential
Mobile Home/RV Park
District for properly planned mobile home and RV parks and subdivisions (Sec. 2.3.9). Minimum lot size 4,500 square feet (mobile home) or 1,500 square feet (RV).
NMUMixed use
Neighborhood Mixed-Use
Small, compact commercial and residential centers of one-half to five acres serving the immediately surrounding neighborhood, with ground-floor retail and upper-story residential or office encouraged (Sec. 2.4.2).
CMUMixed use
Community Mixed-Use
Community-serving commercial and residential development on sites of five acres or larger along selected corridors and nodes, incorporating medium- to higher-density housing (Sec. 2.4.3).
RMUMixed use
Regional Mixed-Use
The highest-intensity mixed-use district, for key regional activity and employment nodes identified in the General Plan, minimum district size 15 acres (Sec. 2.4.4).
IMUMixed use
Industrial Mixed-Use
Mixed-use industrial employment centers combining industrial uses with related commercial, office, and business park uses (Sec. 2.4.5). Minimum district size 15 acres unless converted from the obsolete GC district.
DCMixed use
Downtown Commercial
Downtown district for public uses, offices, retail, restaurants, and entertainment along Monroe Avenue and 4th Street; residential is allowed if not the dominant ground-floor use (Sec. 2.4.6). A property must be within the Downtown Activity Center and the Downtown Core per the Downtown Specific Area Plan to qualify.
DRMixed use
Downtown Residential
Downtown district for older residential neighborhoods not fronting the primary downtown main streets, allowing single-family, duplex, and multi-family residential plus a tailored list of commercial and office uses (Sec. 2.4.7). Must be within the Downtown Activity Center and designated Downtown Residential on the Downtown Specific Area Plan.
POCommercial
Professional Office
Office locations with supporting limited commercial uses, low traffic, noise, and signage impacts (Sec. 2.5.2).
C-1Commercial
Neighborhood Commercial
Small, compact commercial uses within or surrounded by residential areas, serving the convenience needs of the immediate neighborhood (Sec. 2.5.3).
C-2Commercial
Community Commercial
Commercial corridors with community-serving uses drawing from a three- to five-mile market area; not intended for large-scale or regional retail (Sec. 2.5.4).
C-3Commercial
Regional Commercial
Large-scale commercial and retail uses with a citywide or regional market area, dependent on automobile access, minimum district size 15 acres (Sec. 2.5.5).
BPCommercial
Business Park
Mixture of light industrial, office, manufacturing, and limited retail uses in a campus setting with high-quality site and building design, minimum district size 15 acres (Sec. 2.5.6).
I-1Industrial
Light Industrial
Light manufacturing, warehousing, processing, storage, wholesale, distribution, and research and development, with all operations enclosed within a building (Sec. 2.6.2).
I-2Industrial
Heavy Industrial
Heavy industrial uses with potentially noxious impacts, heavy truck traffic, or outdoor storage and operations, including military uses, minimum district size 15 acres (Sec. 2.6.3).
PADSpecial purpose
Planned Area Development
Alternative to conventional development approved under Sec. 8.6; each PAD carries its own uses and dimensional standards set in the adopting ordinance and Development Agreement (Sec. 2.7). Also refers to previously approved Community Master Plans (CMPs). Properties converted from the obsolete Planned Community (PC) district generally keep developing under their existing approved PAD or CMP Overlay District and Development Agreement.
DODSpecial purpose
Downtown Overlay District
Overlay preserving and enhancing Downtown's rural and historic character consistent with the Downtown Specific Area Plan, generally bounded by Miller Road, Maricopa Road, 239th Avenue, and Irwin Avenue/Beloat Road (Sec. 2.8.3). Applies in addition to the underlying base district; conflicts are resolved in favor of the overlay.
AREODSpecial purpose
Apache-Rainbow Employment Overlay District
Overlay providing alternative industrial development standards (building materials, landscaping, walls, and screening) generally bounded by Southern Avenue, Apache Road, the Union Pacific Railroad, and Rainbow Road (Sec. 2.8.1). Applies in addition to the underlying base district.
AODSpecial purpose
Airport Overlay District
Overlay providing aviation-specific development standards around Buckeye Municipal Airport, generally bounded by West Yuma Road, South Palo Verde Road, West Elwood Street, and South Bruner Road, subject to change as the airport expands (Sec. 2.8.2). Applies in addition to the underlying base district.
RRSpecial purpose
Rural Residential (obsolete)
Obsolete district carried forward from a prior code edition for low-density residential development in outlying areas without full public services (Sec. 2.9.1). No new rezonings to RR are allowed; the City recommends converting to AG. Existing RR parcels develop under the standards in Appendix B and the uses in Appendix C. The GIS zoning layer shows this as one of the most common codes still on the ground.
PRSpecial purpose
Planned Residential (obsolete)
Obsolete district for subdivided residential development with public services available (Sec. 2.9.2). No new rezonings to PR are allowed; the City recommends converting to PAD if an approved plat exists, or to R1-6 if it does not. Existing PR parcels develop under Appendix B and Appendix C. The GIS zoning layer shows this as one of the most common codes still on the ground.
MRSpecial purpose
Mixed Residential (obsolete)
Obsolete district for single- and multiple-family residential, historic residential neighborhoods, and compatible commercial uses (Sec. 2.9.3). No new rezonings to MR are allowed; the City recommends converting to NMU. Existing MR parcels develop under Appendix B and Appendix C.
PCSpecial purpose
Planned Community (obsolete)
Obsolete district for land uses approved as part of a PAD or Community Master Plan (CMP), where specific uses, densities, and design criteria were already adopted (Sec. 2.9.4). No new rezonings to PC are allowed. With an approved PAD or CMP Overlay District, the City recommends converting to PAD; without one, to R1-43. This is the single most common code on the City's own zoning GIS layer, covering the large master-planned communities entitled before the 2025 rewrite.
CCSpecial purpose
Commercial Center (obsolete)
Obsolete district for commerce and specialized development, including uses comprising the historic Central Business District (Sec. 2.9.5). No new rezonings to CC are allowed; the City recommends converting to CMU. Existing CC parcels develop under Appendix B and Appendix C.
GCSpecial purpose
General Commerce (obsolete)
Obsolete district for general commercial, employment, and compatible industrial uses with public services available (Sec. 2.9.6). No new rezonings to GC are allowed; the City recommends converting to IMU. Existing GC parcels develop under Appendix B and Appendix C.
SUSpecial purpose
Special Use (obsolete)
Obsolete district for uses in natural hazard or floodplain areas, or under public ownership where flooding or other constraints limit development (Sec. 2.9.7). No new rezonings to SU are allowed; the City recommends converting to AG outside the Historic Downtown, or DR inside it. Existing SU parcels develop under Appendix B and Appendix C.

Code	Name	Category	Summary
AG	Agricultural	Residential	Continued agricultural and ranching use, and a holding zone for undeveloped land until it can be developed at urban standards (Sec. 2.2.2). No minimum lot size beyond the citywide dimensional chart. Confirm the current zoning map and any PAD or overlay conditions before acting.
R1-43	Single-Family Residential 43	Residential	Low-density residential with limited agricultural, animal, and ranching privileges, transitioning between agricultural uses and more intense development (Sec. 2.2.3). Minimum lot size 43,000 square feet.
R1-18	Single-Family Residential 18	Residential	Large-lot single-family district at low urban density, prohibiting commercial, office, and industrial uses (Sec. 2.3.2). Minimum lot size 18,000 square feet.
R1-10	Single-Family Residential 10	Residential	Single-family district at a greater density than R1-18, prohibiting commercial and industrial uses (Sec. 2.3.3). Minimum lot size 10,000 square feet.
R1-6	Single-Family Residential 6	Residential	Medium-lot single-family district at a higher density than R1-18 and R1-10 (Sec. 2.3.4). Minimum lot size 6,000 square feet.
R1-3	Single-Family Residential 3	Residential	Small-lot single-family district that also allows middle housing types such as duplexes and townhomes (Sec. 2.3.5). Minimum lot size 3,000 square feet.
R1-1	Residential 1	Residential	The smallest-lot single-family district, also allowing duplexes and townhomes (Sec. 2.3.6). Minimum lot size 1,000 square feet.
MF-1	Multi-Family 1	Residential	Multi-family district for apartments, condominiums, and bungalow communities at medium to high density, with an emphasis on site design and screening (Sec. 2.3.7). Maximum density 15.0 dwelling units per gross acre.
MF-2	Multi-Family 2	Residential	Urban-density multi-family district for mid- or high-rise development along major corridors and near business centers, not intended near lower-density single-family areas (Sec. 2.3.8). No maximum density; 15.1 dwelling units per gross acre minimum.
MH	Mobile Home/RV Park	Residential	District for properly planned mobile home and RV parks and subdivisions (Sec. 2.3.9). Minimum lot size 4,500 square feet (mobile home) or 1,500 square feet (RV).
NMU	Neighborhood Mixed-Use	Mixed use	Small, compact commercial and residential centers of one-half to five acres serving the immediately surrounding neighborhood, with ground-floor retail and upper-story residential or office encouraged (Sec. 2.4.2).
CMU	Community Mixed-Use	Mixed use	Community-serving commercial and residential development on sites of five acres or larger along selected corridors and nodes, incorporating medium- to higher-density housing (Sec. 2.4.3).
RMU	Regional Mixed-Use	Mixed use	The highest-intensity mixed-use district, for key regional activity and employment nodes identified in the General Plan, minimum district size 15 acres (Sec. 2.4.4).
IMU	Industrial Mixed-Use	Mixed use	Mixed-use industrial employment centers combining industrial uses with related commercial, office, and business park uses (Sec. 2.4.5). Minimum district size 15 acres unless converted from the obsolete GC district.
DC	Downtown Commercial	Mixed use	Downtown district for public uses, offices, retail, restaurants, and entertainment along Monroe Avenue and 4th Street; residential is allowed if not the dominant ground-floor use (Sec. 2.4.6). A property must be within the Downtown Activity Center and the Downtown Core per the Downtown Specific Area Plan to qualify.
DR	Downtown Residential	Mixed use	Downtown district for older residential neighborhoods not fronting the primary downtown main streets, allowing single-family, duplex, and multi-family residential plus a tailored list of commercial and office uses (Sec. 2.4.7). Must be within the Downtown Activity Center and designated Downtown Residential on the Downtown Specific Area Plan.
PO	Professional Office	Commercial	Office locations with supporting limited commercial uses, low traffic, noise, and signage impacts (Sec. 2.5.2).
C-1	Neighborhood Commercial	Commercial	Small, compact commercial uses within or surrounded by residential areas, serving the convenience needs of the immediate neighborhood (Sec. 2.5.3).
C-2	Community Commercial	Commercial	Commercial corridors with community-serving uses drawing from a three- to five-mile market area; not intended for large-scale or regional retail (Sec. 2.5.4).
C-3	Regional Commercial	Commercial	Large-scale commercial and retail uses with a citywide or regional market area, dependent on automobile access, minimum district size 15 acres (Sec. 2.5.5).
BP	Business Park	Commercial	Mixture of light industrial, office, manufacturing, and limited retail uses in a campus setting with high-quality site and building design, minimum district size 15 acres (Sec. 2.5.6).
I-1	Light Industrial	Industrial	Light manufacturing, warehousing, processing, storage, wholesale, distribution, and research and development, with all operations enclosed within a building (Sec. 2.6.2).
I-2	Heavy Industrial	Industrial	Heavy industrial uses with potentially noxious impacts, heavy truck traffic, or outdoor storage and operations, including military uses, minimum district size 15 acres (Sec. 2.6.3).
PAD	Planned Area Development	Special purpose	Alternative to conventional development approved under Sec. 8.6; each PAD carries its own uses and dimensional standards set in the adopting ordinance and Development Agreement (Sec. 2.7). Also refers to previously approved Community Master Plans (CMPs). Properties converted from the obsolete Planned Community (PC) district generally keep developing under their existing approved PAD or CMP Overlay District and Development Agreement.
DOD	Downtown Overlay District	Special purpose	Overlay preserving and enhancing Downtown's rural and historic character consistent with the Downtown Specific Area Plan, generally bounded by Miller Road, Maricopa Road, 239th Avenue, and Irwin Avenue/Beloat Road (Sec. 2.8.3). Applies in addition to the underlying base district; conflicts are resolved in favor of the overlay.
AREOD	Apache-Rainbow Employment Overlay District	Special purpose	Overlay providing alternative industrial development standards (building materials, landscaping, walls, and screening) generally bounded by Southern Avenue, Apache Road, the Union Pacific Railroad, and Rainbow Road (Sec. 2.8.1). Applies in addition to the underlying base district.
AOD	Airport Overlay District	Special purpose	Overlay providing aviation-specific development standards around Buckeye Municipal Airport, generally bounded by West Yuma Road, South Palo Verde Road, West Elwood Street, and South Bruner Road, subject to change as the airport expands (Sec. 2.8.2). Applies in addition to the underlying base district.
RR	Rural Residential (obsolete)	Special purpose	Obsolete district carried forward from a prior code edition for low-density residential development in outlying areas without full public services (Sec. 2.9.1). No new rezonings to RR are allowed; the City recommends converting to AG. Existing RR parcels develop under the standards in Appendix B and the uses in Appendix C. The GIS zoning layer shows this as one of the most common codes still on the ground.
PR	Planned Residential (obsolete)	Special purpose	Obsolete district for subdivided residential development with public services available (Sec. 2.9.2). No new rezonings to PR are allowed; the City recommends converting to PAD if an approved plat exists, or to R1-6 if it does not. Existing PR parcels develop under Appendix B and Appendix C. The GIS zoning layer shows this as one of the most common codes still on the ground.
MR	Mixed Residential (obsolete)	Special purpose	Obsolete district for single- and multiple-family residential, historic residential neighborhoods, and compatible commercial uses (Sec. 2.9.3). No new rezonings to MR are allowed; the City recommends converting to NMU. Existing MR parcels develop under Appendix B and Appendix C.
PC	Planned Community (obsolete)	Special purpose	Obsolete district for land uses approved as part of a PAD or Community Master Plan (CMP), where specific uses, densities, and design criteria were already adopted (Sec. 2.9.4). No new rezonings to PC are allowed. With an approved PAD or CMP Overlay District, the City recommends converting to PAD; without one, to R1-43. This is the single most common code on the City's own zoning GIS layer, covering the large master-planned communities entitled before the 2025 rewrite.
CC	Commercial Center (obsolete)	Special purpose	Obsolete district for commerce and specialized development, including uses comprising the historic Central Business District (Sec. 2.9.5). No new rezonings to CC are allowed; the City recommends converting to CMU. Existing CC parcels develop under Appendix B and Appendix C.
GC	General Commerce (obsolete)	Special purpose	Obsolete district for general commercial, employment, and compatible industrial uses with public services available (Sec. 2.9.6). No new rezonings to GC are allowed; the City recommends converting to IMU. Existing GC parcels develop under Appendix B and Appendix C.
SU	Special Use (obsolete)	Special purpose	Obsolete district for uses in natural hazard or floodplain areas, or under public ownership where flooding or other constraints limit development (Sec. 2.9.7). No new rezonings to SU are allowed; the City recommends converting to AG outside the Historic Downtown, or DR inside it. Existing SU parcels develop under Appendix B and Appendix C.

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