Arizona (AZ) Short-Term Rental Regulations

Compare STR rules across 2 Arizona cities. License fees, tax rates, and operating rules. Verified May 2026.

At a Glance

Cities Covered2 cities โ€” Phoenix, Scottsdale
Regulatory ClimateInvestor-Friendly
License Fee Range$250โ€“$250
State PreemptionYes โ€” SB1350
Primary ResidenceRequired in some cities
Last Verified

Regulatory Climate and Primary Residence fields derived from city-level archetype data. Preemption status verified against state statutes (Arizona: SB1350 verified via azleg.gov/legtext/52leg/2r/laws/0208.pdf).

๐Ÿ“Š By the Numbers

Source: City-level data from official municipal sources, cross-verified May 2026.

Regulatory Overview

Arizona is the strongest investor market in our coverage, anchored by SB1350, a 2016 law that prohibits cities from banning short-term rentals outright. Cities may require licenses, collect taxes, and enforce nuisance ordinances, but cannot use zoning to restrict STRs. Both Scottsdale and Phoenix operate under this framework with straightforward annual registration ($250/year) and no primary residence requirements. Arizona's state-level preemption provides regulatory certainty that few other states offer, making it one of the most predictable markets for STR investment.

Regulatory Risk Ranking

From most restrictive to most investor-friendly within Arizona:

  1. Scottsdale โ€” ๐ŸŸข Accessible: Scottsdale is the strongest investor market in this batch. Arizona's SB1350 state preemption removes
  2. Phoenix โ€” ๐ŸŸข Accessible: Phoenix is a top-tier STR investment market. Arizona's SB1350 provides regulatory certainty that mos

City Comparison โ€” 2 Cities

All Arizona cities covered by RentPermitted, ranked and compared:

CityStatusLicense Fee
PhoenixPermitted โ€” State-Protected$250/year
ScottsdalePermitted โ€” State-Protected$250/year city license + free AZ TPT registration

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cities in Arizona does RentPermitted cover?

We cover 2 cities in Arizona: Phoenix, Scottsdale.

Does Arizona have state-wide STR laws?

Yes โ€” Arizona's SB1350 (2016) prohibits cities from banning short-term rentals outright. Cities may require licenses, collect taxes, and enforce nuisance rules, but cannot use zoning to restrict STRs. This is one of the strongest state-level STR protections in the country.

Which Arizona city is best for STR investment?

Scottsdale is generally the most accessible: Scottsdale is the strongest investor market in this batch. Arizona's SB1350 state preemption removes the existential reg. Phoenix is the most restrictive: Phoenix is a top-tier STR investment market. Arizona's SB1350 provides regulatory certainty that most other states lack.. See the risk ranking above for the full breakdown.

Similar States

States with a comparable investor-friendly regulatory profile:

Washington (WA)

1 city page(s)

Disclaimer: Data sourced from official Arizona city websites and state statutes. Regulations change. Verify with local authorities before making investment decisions. Last comprehensive review: May 2026.

RentPermitted is not a government agency. We compile public information for educational purposes.