PHOENIX — Arizona residents may soon be waking up earlier than usual, but not because of alarm clocks or noisy roosters. A new law that took effect this week allows construction work to begin at 5 a.m. on weekdays from May 1 through October 15, a change driven by growing concerns over worker safety during the state’s intense summer heat.

The law mandates that all cities and counties permit early morning construction starts during those months — and it goes even further. Construction companies can begin pouring concrete as early as 4 a.m., a full hour before general construction begins. While Saturday work is restricted to starting no earlier than 7 a.m., local governments still retain control over Sunday schedules.

The legislation, signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs, aims to standardize construction start times across Arizona, where existing policies vary greatly from city to city.

Sen. Analise Ortiz, a Democrat from Phoenix and one of the bill’s main advocates, emphasized both the worker safety and housing development benefits of the law.

“It’s needed because we should allow for more workers in the construction industry to have an earlier start time while it’s cooler in the summer months,’’ Ortiz said. “It’s good for workers.’’

Ortiz also framed the legislation as a step toward reducing housing costs by increasing efficiency in construction and eliminating unnecessary regulatory delays.

“It’s good for development,’’ she added.

Ortiz has been at the forefront of broader housing reform in Arizona, including support for legislation allowing homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (casitas) and reducing city zoning restrictions to promote more affordable housing options.

Spencer Kamps, a lobbyist for the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, echoed Ortiz’s concern for construction workers, calling the law a practical response to extreme weather conditions.

“Construction workers are obviously at risk during the summer,’’ Kamps said. “But, quite honestly, the best mitigation measure to prevent heat stroke or heat injury is the schedule.”

Kamps explained that the uniform start time will help avoid confusion and provide a consistent standard for both urban and rural job sites.

“Construction schedules shouldn’t depend on the zip code,” he said, noting that some cities like Prescott and Scottsdale currently restrict construction before 6 a.m., while Tucson ties start times to the sunrise.

Melonie Leslie, business director of the Arizona Masonry Council, also testified in favor of the law, pointing out the physical toll of the job.

“Workers are lifting sacks weighing 35 pounds all day,” she said, adding that earlier start times offer a reprieve from the sweltering midday sun.

Rep. Jeff Weninger, a Chandler Republican and former roofer, added a personal touch during legislative discussions.

“I used to roof for my dad in Tucson, years and years ago, in the summer,’’ Weninger said. “Definitely, you had to be off the roof by 11 a.m.’’

Later start times, he argued, limited productivity, often allowing only three to four hours of work before it became too dangerous to continue.

“This will work for more expediency in road construction, more expediency in housing construction, and keep those workers safe at the same time,’’ he said.

Not everyone may welcome the sound of construction at 5 a.m., particularly in residential neighborhoods. Still, Ortiz emphasized the importance of worker safety over convenience.

“Without this bill, people could die of extreme heat working long hours in the middle of the day,’’ she said. “This is a necessary life-saving measure for construction workers.”

Gov. Hobbs’ support for the bill focused on its potential to increase housing supply. Christian Slater, a spokesperson for the governor, said the legislation builds on her administration’s efforts to reduce regulatory barriers for housing development.

“Gov. Hobbs is proud to build on her record by signing legislation that will further break down regulatory barriers to building more housing,’’ Slater said.

As for concerns about early morning disruptions, Slater took the opportunity to highlight Hobbs’ work ethic during an election year.

“The governor is regularly awake at 5 a.m., if not earlier, working tirelessly to expand opportunity, security and freedom for the people of Arizona,’’ he said.

While it remains to be seen whether other residents share the governor’s early-bird habits, construction crews will soon be taking full advantage of cooler mornings — and reshaping Arizona’s skylines well before sunrise.

Originally reported by Howard Fischer in Tucson News.