A citywide zoning amendment to allow “middle housing” — duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and townhomes — cleared initial council consideration at Flagstaff’s Nov. 18 City Council meeting, with council members scheduling final adoption for Dec. 2.

Zoning code manager Tiffany Antal told the council the changes implement state legislation that requires municipalities to allow these housing types. The draft code treats developments of four units or fewer more like single‑family houses for review purposes: building permits rather than concept- or site-plan review, and many public‑improvement and architectural triggers will not apply to those small projects. Antal said parking will generally be one space per unit and the city will pilot a floor-area‑ratio tool in the R1N (historic core) zone to calibrate scale in sensitive neighborhoods.

“The bill set limits on how local codes may restrict middle housing,” Antal said. “This package updates definitions, supplemental standards, land‑use tables and form‑based standards so four‑unit development is treated consistently with single‑family.”

Antal said the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended the citywide approach. Supporters in the public hearing — including housing advocates and developers — praised the city’s decision to go beyond the bare minimum required by state law and to apply the amendment citywide rather than concentrate new property rights in older central neighborhoods.

Council members asked staff about developer feedback, public outreach and parking policy. Antal said staff will pursue additional engagement on future parking policy changes and noted the city has posted outreach material and convened workshops with multiple commissions over the year.

Council read Resolution 2025‑61 (declaring the middle‑housing document a public record) and read Ordinance 2025‑26 by title; the ordinance will return for adoption at the Dec. 2 meeting. Antal and staff said they will monitor implementation details and return with any necessary code cleanups.

Why it matters: The amendment is intended to expand housing types and capacity across Flagstaff, aligning local land use with state law while preserving tools (pilot FAR in select neighborhoods) to protect neighborhood scale where needed.