Short-term rental rules · Phoenix, Arizona
Short-term rentals in Phoenix, explained properly.
Like the rest of Arizona, Phoenix cannot ban short-term rentals, but it requires a $250 city permit, a state TPT license, certified-mail neighbor notification, and (as of April 2026) proof of residence for owners renting an ADU built after September 2024. Combined lodging taxes vary by exact location within the city and should be checked against the Arizona Department of Revenue's rate tables.
Draft. These rules were compiled from the official sources listed below but have not yet been checked line by line. Confirm with the city before making decisions.
At a glance
What you need to know before you buy or list
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are short-term rentals allowed? | Yes, citywide — Arizona state law prohibits municipalities from banning short-term rentals outright[1]Confirming |
| Permit fee | $250, non-refundable, for both the initial application and each renewal[2] |
| State TPT license required | Property owners must obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license from the Arizona Department of Revenue, separate from the city permit[2] |
| Certified-mail neighbor notification | Owners must send certified mail notices to adjacent residential properties within 600 feet, plus any homeowners associations or neighborhood organizations in the area[2] |
| ADU owner-occupancy requirement (new, 2026) | For an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) used as an STR, the property owner must live on-site; effective April 4, 2026, owners of ADUs issued a certificate of occupancy after September 14, 2024, must also submit a notarized attestation plus proof of residence[2] |
| Application processing time | The city must issue or deny a permit within 7 days of receiving a complete application through the SHAPE PHX portal[2] |
| Penalty for violations | Minimum $500 (or one night's rental fee) for a first violation, rising to $1,000 for a second and $3,500 for a third; three court-adjudicated violations within 12 months triggers a 12-month permit suspension[2] |
| Combined lodging tax varies by location | Phoenix stays are subject to state TPT, a Maricopa County excise tax, and a city hotel-classification tax; the combined rate is not a single citywide figure and should be checked against the Arizona Department of Revenue's rate table for the specific address[3]Confirming |
| Last researched | September 25, 2026 |
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Detailed rules
The full picture, section by section
Eligibility & zoning
| No citywide occupancy limit specified | Phoenix does not appear to specify a numeric occupancy limit for short-term rentals in its own registry materials, though underlying zoning rules may still constrain use of certain properties[4]Confirming |
|---|---|
| Maricopa County Assessor notification required | Owners must update their rental status with the Maricopa County Assessor's Office as part of registering a short-term rental[2] |
Licensing & application
| Required application documents | Applications require an Affidavit & Attestation (Acknowledgment and Agreement), a safety equipment description and map, owner's-designee authorization if applicable, and an Attestation of Compliance confirming notice to adjacent neighbors[2] |
|---|---|
| Permit number must be displayed in advertisements | The city permit/license number must be displayed on all advertisements for the short-term rental[2] |
Operations & requirements
| Liability insurance expected | Short-term rental operators are expected to carry liability coverage extending to property damage and guest injuries, consistent with the insurance authority state law gives Arizona cities[4]Confirming |
|---|---|
| Complaint and enforcement process | The Neighborhood Services Department handles code compliance investigations; complaints can be filed via an online portal or by emailing [email protected][2] |
Taxes & fees
| Two separate registrations required | The city short-term rental permit (administered by Phoenix) and the state TPT license (administered by the Arizona Department of Revenue) are two distinct registrations, both required before operating[4] |
|---|
Changes
Recent and pending changes
Phoenix's own STR registry page is a strong, current, direct source and should be the primary one monitored going forward. The ADU owner-occupancy attestation requirement (effective April 4, 2026) is a very recent change and a sign the city continues to tighten rules around ADU-based STRs. The exact combined tax rate could not be pinned to a single citywide figure during this research pass — it depends on the Arizona Department of Revenue's location-specific rate tables — and is worth a direct lookup for any specific property before publishing to a subscriber as a firm number.
Sources
Every rule above links to one of these
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This page is general information compiled from official sources, not legal or tax advice. HOA rules, deed restrictions and zoning for a specific property can be stricter. Confirm with the local permitting office and a qualified professional before buying or listing a property.