How Tempe Handles Rental Property Rules: A Practical Guide

Tempe maintains 119 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with rental property rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Tempe falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Rental Registration

Tempe requires all rental properties to be registered with the Maricopa County Assessor's office per Arizona law. Failure to register is a $1,000 fine from Tempe code enforcement. All rentals must also register with the city. Tempe has one of the more aggressive rental registration enforcement programs in the Phoenix metro area, driven by the large ASU-area rental market.

Key details: County Registration: Maricopa County Assessor, required by state law. City Registration: Required with City of Tempe. Fine: $1,000 for non-registered rental property. Renter Population: ~55% of Tempe housing is renter-occupied. Updates: Ownership/management changes must be reported.

Failure to register with Maricopa County Assessor results in $1,000 fine from Tempe code enforcement. Non-registration with the city also carries penalties.

This is one of the stricter rules in Tempe's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Just Cause Eviction

Arizona does not have a just cause eviction law. Tempe landlords may decline to renew a lease without stating a reason, provided proper notice is given under Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ARS 33-1301 et seq.). Month-to-month tenancies require 30 days' notice. Arizona preempts local rent control and eviction restrictions.

Key details: Just Cause: Not required in Arizona. Month-to-Month: 30 days' notice to terminate. State Preemption: Arizona preempts local eviction restrictions. State Law: ARS 33-1301 et seq.. Self-Help: Illegal under ARS 33-1367.

Landlords must follow proper eviction procedures under state law. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing belongings) are illegal under ARS 33-1367.

Tempe is more permissive than most cities when it comes to just cause eviction. That said, there are still limits.

Rent Control

Arizona prohibits rent control statewide under ARS 33-1329. Tempe cannot impose rent stabilization, rent caps, or mandatory relocation assistance for rent increases. Landlords may raise rent to any amount with proper notice (30 days for month-to-month tenancies). The only restriction is that rent increases cannot be retaliatory.

Key details: Rent Control: Prohibited statewide by ARS 33-1329. Rent Increases: No limit on amount, proper notice required. Notice Period: 30 days for month-to-month tenancies. Retaliation: Retaliatory increases prohibited (ARS 33-1381). Local Authority: Tempe cannot impose rent regulation.

Retaliatory rent increases are prohibited under ARS 33-1381. Landlords must provide proper notice before increases.

The rules around rent control in Tempe lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Tempe gives residents more room on rental property rules. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Tempe's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.