Short-Term Rentals in Surprise, AZ (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Surprise, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Arizona state law (ARS 9-500.39) preempts cities from requiring local STR permits or licenses. Surprise cannot require a city-issued vacation rental permit. However, operators must obtain an Arizona TPT license from the Department of Revenue and comply with state registration requirements.
Surprise Short-Term Rental Permits
Few RestrictionsARS 9-500.39(B)(5), (G)
5. To require the owner of a vacation rental or short-term rental to obtain and maintain a local regulatory permit or license. As a condition of issuance of a permit or license, the application for the permit or license may require an applicant to provide only the following: (a) The name, address, telephone number and email address for the owner or owner's agent. (b) The address of the vacation...
Noise Rules
Short-term rental properties in Surprise must comply with all city noise regulations. Arizona SB 1350 (2022) authorizes cities to enforce against STR properties that create neighborhood disturbances including excessive noise, parties, and gatherings.
Surprise STR Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsARS 9-500.39(B), (F)
B. A city or town may not restrict the use of or regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals based on their classification, use or occupancy except as provided in this section. A city or town may regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals as follows: 1. To protect the public's health and safety, including rules and regulations related to fire and building codes, health and sanitation, ...
Taxes & Fees
Short-term rental operators in Surprise must collect and remit Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) on rental income. The combined state, county, and city tax rate applies. Platforms like Airbnb may collect state taxes automatically, but operators must independently hold a TPT license.
Surprise STR Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsParking Rules
Arizona's STR preemption limits Surprise's ability to impose specific parking requirements on vacation rentals beyond general residential parking rules. Guests must comply with standard street parking regulations. Properties should provide adequate off-street parking for guests.
Surprise STR Parking Rules
Few RestrictionsARS 9-500.39(B), (D)
B. A city or town may not restrict the use of or regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals based on their classification, use or occupancy except as provided in this section. A city or town may regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals as follows: 1. To protect the public's health and safety, including rules and regulations related to fire and building codes, health and sanitation, ...
Occupancy Limits
Arizona SB 1350 (2022) allows cities to impose occupancy limits on short-term rentals. Surprise enforces limits based on bedroom count. Rentals may not exceed the number of bedrooms multiplied by two, plus additional guests up to the property's posted maximum.
Surprise Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits
Few RestrictionsARS 9-500.39(A)-(B), (K)
A. A city or town may not prohibit vacation rentals or short-term rentals. B. A city or town may not restrict the use of or regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals based on their classification, use or occupancy except as provided in this section. A city or town may regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals as follows: 1. To protect the public's health and safety, including rules ...
Insurance Requirements
Arizona's short-term rental framework does not mandate specific insurance requirements at the state level. Surprise recommends but may not require hosts to carry liability insurance. Platform host protection insurance from Airbnb or Vrbo provides some coverage.
Surprise STR Insurance Requirements
Few RestrictionsARS 9-500.39(B)(8)-(9)
8. To require the vacation rental or short-term rental to maintain liability insurance appropriate to cover the vacation rental or short-term rental in the aggregate of at least $500,000 or to advertise and offer each vacation rental or short-term rental through an online lodging marketplace that provides equal or greater coverage. 9. To require the owner of a vacation rental or short-term rent...
Night Caps
Arizona state law (ARS 9-500.39) preempts cities from imposing annual night caps or rental frequency limits on short-term rentals. Surprise cannot restrict the number of nights a property may be rented per year.
Surprise Short-Term Rental Night Caps
Few RestrictionsARS 9-500.39(A)-(B), (F)
A. A city or town may not prohibit vacation rentals or short-term rentals. B. A city or town may not restrict the use of or regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals based on their classification, use or occupancy except as provided in this section. A city or town may regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals as follows: 1. To protect the public's health and safety, including rules ...
Registration Rules
Short-term rental operators in Surprise must obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license from Arizona DOR and register with Maricopa County. The city collects bed tax revenue through the state's shared TPT system. Arizona requires STR operators to maintain a local contact.
Surprise STR Registration Rules
Some RestrictionsARS 9-500.39(B)(5), (C)
5. To require the owner of a vacation rental or short-term rental to obtain and maintain a local regulatory permit or license. As a condition of issuance of a permit or license, the application for the permit or license may require an applicant to provide only the following: (a) The name, address, telephone number and email address for the owner or owner's agent. (b) The address of the vacation...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Surprise city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Maricopa County →