PHOENIX (Mar. 25, 2026) — In a decisive move, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has voted to prolong the existing halt on new county government regulations. This moratorium restricts all county departments from enacting any new ordinances, rules, or regulations except in situations deemed emergencies. Such exceptions require approval from the majority of the Board and must aim to avert significant threats to public health, peace, or safety.
Board of Supervisors Chair, Kate Brophy McGee from District 3, emphasized that the moratorium’s extension is aimed at sustaining economic momentum. She stated, “Extending the moratorium will ensure employers, developers, and innovators in Maricopa County can operate at the speed of business and continue to create jobs in Maricopa County. It will encourage economic growth by limiting new unnecessary compliance costs and burdensome regulations.”
Vice Chair Debbie Lesko, representing District 4, concurred, highlighting the potential for business growth. “The extension of this moratorium provides stability for current businesses to thrive and grow in Maricopa County,” she noted. “It will also encourage new businesses to setup shop in Maricopa County, because they won’t have to navigate unnecessary rules and costs to do business.”
Mark Stewart, Supervisor for District 1, added a personal perspective as a business owner. “As a business owner myself, I understand how much unnecessary regulations can get in the way of progress and innovation,” he remarked. “At the end of the day, our job as the Board of Supervisors is to provide peak conditions for our economy to grow while maintaining quality of life for residents. The extension of this moratorium does just that.”
Supervisor Thomas Galvin from District 2 stressed the initiative’s role in maintaining operational efficiency. “This moratorium is about stopping unnecessary regulation before it starts,” he explained. “We’re cutting red tape, not adding to it to make sure Maricopa County’s operations remain lean and effective.”
District 5’s Supervisor, Steve Gallardo, relayed concerns from constituents about the rising cost of living. “I hear it from people all the time,” Gallardo mentioned. “They’re worried about housing, food, gas prices, everything costing more. The last thing they need is government making more rules that drive up costs and make it harder to make a living.”
This regulatory pause initially took effect under a previous Board in 2013 and lasted until 2017. It has since been extended in subsequent years, including 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025. The current decision will keep the moratorium in place until December 31, 2026.
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