New Bill Affects Parking Regulations in San Tan Valley's Ungated Communities

A significant legislative change is set to impact the daily lives of many residents in San Tan Valley's ungated communities. The recently passedHB2298 requires these neighborhoods, particularly those with homeowners associations (HOAs), to reevaluate their parking regulations, a move that could reshape local parking dynamics.

The bill, which the state Legislature passed, targets parking rules established before January 2015. These rules, often set by HOAs, have historically governed where residents and their guests can park within these communities. However, the new legislation introduced a crucial turning point.

Johnathan Dessaules, an attorney with the Dessaules Law Group, explained the rationale behind this legislative shift. "A lot of these communities were not designed to accommodate the current trend of multiple cars and several driving family members," he said. This mismatch between outdated regulations and contemporary living situations has led to the reevaluation mandated by HB2298.

Until the introduction of this law, HOAs had the authority to regulate both private and public parking spaces within their jurisdictions. The April enactment, however, changes this, stripping HOAs of the ability to regulate parking on public streets for any rules established from 2015 onwards. Communities with older rules, pre-dating December 31, 2014, now face a critical decision: to retain or abandon these regulations.

The intent behind HB2298 is to align parking restrictions with the evolving needs of growing communities like San Tan Valley. "It gives owners the right to say that these parking restrictions don't make any sense today," Dessaules remarked. Affected HOAs must conduct a vote on their existing parking restrictions by June 30, 2025.

Should the homeowners decide to eliminate these old regulations, parking enforcement within these areas will transition to city/county control. This shift could lead to a more standardized approach to parking management across San Tan Valley. It is important to note that the new bill has specific exclusions: it does not apply to one-way streets, privately owned roads, or condominiums.

Residents of ungated communities are encouraged to engage with their HOAs to understand how this new law will affect them and to participate in the decision-making process. The outcome of these votes will determine not just the practical aspects of parking but also reflect the community's adaptability to changing urban landscapes.

As San Tan Valley continues to grow and evolve, HB2298 represents a crucial step towards ensuring that its residential policies, especially those concerning parking, are in sync with the needs of its residents. The coming years will reveal how these changes impact community dynamics and urban planning in the area.