Challenge
The Town of Chino Valley, Arizona, reached an important point in its long-range planning journey. With the voter-ratified “Make it Chino!” General Plan in place, the Town needed to transform that community-driven vision into a modern zoning code that could be applied clearly and consistently.
The existing Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) required updates to better reflect current conditions, state and federal legal requirements, and the Town’s future direction. Chino Valley faced the challenge of balancing growth pressure with the rural character that residents value. For the community, “rural” means more than lot size. It includes view corridors, dark skies, open landscapes, agricultural and equestrian uses, and neighborhoods that retain a strong sense of place.
At the same time, the Town needed practical tools to guide activity along the SR-89 corridor, address opportunities within Housing Mixed Use (HMU) areas, manage scattered development patterns, and support quality commercial development. Limited water resources, infrastructure constraints, and changing housing and development regulations added further complexity. The Town needed a zoning code that would be legally sound, easier to administer, and flexible enough to support beneficial growth without losing what makes Chino Valley distinct.
Solution
HR Green developed and implemented a comprehensive approach to rewrite Chino Valley’s zoning code over an 18-month process. Because the team had also worked on the General Plan, HR Green was able to build directly on prior community input, existing relationships, and established planning direction.
The process began with project management, data collection, and engagement planning. HR Green worked closely with Town staff and the existing Zoning Workgroup through regular coordination meetings, progress reports, and milestone reviews. The team also developed an engagement strategy designed to involve property owners, developers, business groups, neighborhood organizations, and special interest groups representing equestrian, agricultural, and environmental perspectives.
Discovery and analysis formed the foundation of the rewrite. HR Green reviewed the existing UDO for legal compliance, implementation challenges, outdated provisions, variance patterns, and areas of conflict. The team evaluated current Arizona statutes, federal requirements, recent case law, sign regulations, fair housing requirements, telecommunications provisions, water-related considerations, and changes related to accessory dwelling units, missing middle housing, and administrative review processes.
Community engagement helped define how the zoning code should reflect Chino Valley’s rural character in measurable ways. Through workshops, stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and interactive activities, HR Green gathered input on lot patterns, building placement, landscaping, architectural character, infrastructure approaches, and other activity nodes identified in the General Plan.
The code development phase translated this information into clear, usable regulations. HR Green restructured zoning districts to align with General Plan land use categories, modernized use tables, clarified definitions, created development standards, and updated administrative procedures. The team also integrated graphics, diagrams, and visual examples to make the code easier for property owners, applicants, residents, and Town staff to understand.
Because zoning map changes in Arizona require careful consideration, HR Green worked with Town staff to identify targeted recommendations and develop an approach that respected property owner involvement and regulatory requirements. The draft code was then refined through staff input, public open house participation, online review, Planning and Zoning Commission discussion, and Town Council consideration.
Benefit
The completed zoning code gives Chino Valley a practical implementation tool for the “Make it Chino!” General Plan. It supports the Town’s vision for thoughtful growth while preserving the rural, agricultural, and equestrian character residents identified as central to the community’s identity.
For Town staff, the updated code improves usability, consistency, and administrative clarity. Clearer procedures, modernized use tables, updated definitions, and visual guidance help reduce interpretation challenges and support more predictable development review.
For residents and property owners, the code provides a better understanding of what is allowed, how development standards apply, and how the Town’s adopted vision is reflected in day-to-day land use decisions. For developers and business owners, the rewritten code offers clearer expectations, especially in areas such as SR-89, HMU districts, and other targeted growth areas.
By connecting planning, legal review, infrastructure considerations, market realities, and public engagement, HR Green helped Chino Valley move from vision to implementation. The result is a modern zoning code tailored to the Town’s needs: one that protects community character, supports responsible investment, and gives Chino Valley a stronger framework for guiding growth over the coming decades.
