Balancing Growth and Heritage: Queen Creek's Win for Agricultural Property Rights

As Maricopa County continues to grow, how can communities preserve the agricultural heritage and property rights that helped build the Valley?

Written by Holly Anderson (Agricultural Communications Intern)

For generations, agriculture has helped shape the identity, economy, and landscape of Maricopa County. From dairy farms and livestock operations to fields of cotton and alfalfa, farming communities create a foundation for many of the valley towns that residents call home today. Yet as Arizona continues to experience population growth and urban development, communities increasingly face the difficult question: How can they preserve their agricultural heritage while accommodating a growing population?

A recent ordinance approved by the Town of Queen Creek has brought that conversation back into the spotlight, highlighting the ongoing balance between agricultural property rights and the future development in the valley. 

Agriculture Remains a Cornerstone of Maricopa County

Although the landscape of Maricopa County has changed dramatically over the past several decades, agriculture continues to play a vital role in the region's economy.

According to the most recent Census of Agriculture (2022), Maricopa County generated more than $1.5 billion in agricultural sales, ranking first among Arizona’s counties in total agricultural production. Livestock alone accounted for more than half of all agricultural sales, emphasizing the importance of animal agriculture throughout the county.

However, as urbanization expands across the Valley, the number of farms continues to decline, and the challenges of preserving agricultural operations continue to grow. 

Protecting Agriculture Through Right-to-Farm Policies

The identity of Arizona agriculture is strongly supported by the state’s “Right to Farm Law”, aiming to protect farming and ranching operations from nuisance-based challenges and encroaching development issues.

These protections help to reflect a broader legislative effort to ensure that agricultural producers can continue to operate on land affected by population growth and urban expansion. Arizona Farm Bureau emphasizes that the “Rights to Farm Law” has become a key priority in preserving the livelihood of agriculture in rapidly developing regions (2021).

With Maricopa County remaining the top agricultural leader in the state, maintaining local ordinances displays the importance of rural land use and evolving community needs. 

Queen Creek Updates Animal Regulations

On April 15th, 2026, Queen Creek’s Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance removing previous limits on the number of farm animals permitted on residential properties of one acre or more, drawing attention from both residents and agricultural stakeholders.

The change followed a comprehensive review process that began in 2025, when town staff, stakeholders, and community members evaluated a proposed code by the Planning and Zoning commissioners. The review highlighted inconsistencies in the previous “animals per acre” regulations and sparked discussions about how to best align the town code with both agricultural use and residential growth patterns.

The approved ordinance reflects months of discussion between residents, staff, and stakeholders seeking to modernize land-use expectations in a rapidly developing community. 

A Broader East Valley Conversation

Queen Creek’s ordinance change also reflects a larger land-use conversation occurring across the valley, where rapid urban expansion continues to reshape agricultural boundaries and local policy decisions.

Surrounding communities like Gilbert, Mesa, and Chandler have each experienced similar transitions of large agricultural landscapes to developed suburban cities, resulting in evolving regulations that often place increasing limits on traditional farming and livestock practices. 

In Gilbert, for example, long-term population growth contributed to a gradual reduction of large-scale agricultural operations, with remaining agricultural activity concentrated in limited areas.

Mesa, one of the largest cities in Arizona, has similarly shifted towards urban development, with zoning structures prioritizing residential, commercial, and industrial expansion, while agricultural uses remain more geographically isolated.

Chandler’s early agricultural roots have also largely given way to suburban expansion, with only small pockets of agricultural land located on the city’s outskirts. 

Why Queen Creek's Approach Stands Out

Queen Creek’s decision stands out as an approach that maintains greater flexibility for agricultural practices on larger residential properties.

While surrounding municipalities have increasingly moved toward more restrictive urban land-use frameworks, Queen Creek’s ordinance reflects an effort to preserve space for small-scale livestock and agricultural activity even as development continues to expand. 

Looking Ahead: Finding Balance Between Growth and Agriculture

As Maricopa County continues to lead Arizona in agricultural production, these differing local approaches highlight an ongoing regional challenge on how to preserve agriculture with residential growth in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country.

Policy decisions made at the local level will continue to shape how agriculture fits into the Valley’s future, particularly as communities navigate the combination of heritage, economic development, and urban expansion. 

Across the East Valley, communities are taking different approaches to balancing agricultural land use with continued population growth. Some cities have gradually adopted more urban-focused zoning and livestock regulations as development expanded, while others are looking for ways to preserve agricultural practices on larger properties.

For many residents, farmers, and ranchers, the conversation extends beyond land use regulations; it is about preserving the history, property rights, and agricultural traditions that have helped shape Maricopa County for generations.

As the Valley continues to evolve, finding ways to support both growth and agriculture will remain a critical discussion that helps to determine the representation of Arizona's communities for years to come.

References

Arizona Farm Bureau. (2021). More than a Nuisance: Why Strengthening Right-to-Farm Laws Became a Key Legislative Priority. Arizona Farm Bureau. https://www.azfb.org/Article/More-than-a-Nuisance-Why-Strengthening-RighttoFarm-Laws-Became-a-Key-Legislative-Priority

Town of Queen Creek. (2026). Town Expands Flexibility for Animals on Large-Lot Properties. Town of Queen Creek. https://www.queencreekaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/13485/13

United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. (2022). 2022 Census of Agriculture: Maricopa County. USDA NASS. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/Arizona/cp04013.pdf