Short-Term Rentals in Tucson, AZ (2026)

4 verified short-term rentals rules for Tucson, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Short-Term Rental Permits

Any Tucson operator renting to transients, including short-term/vacation rental hosts whose guests stay under 30 days, must register with the Director of Finance within 30 days of starting business under City Code § 19-67 and hold a transient rental tax license under § 19-71, obtained for a nonrefundable $25.00 fee. The license must be posted in plain view and is nontransferable between owners or locations.

Tucson Transient Rental Registration & License

Some Restrictions

Tucson City Code § 19-67; § 19-71(a)

Within thirty (30) days after commencing business, each hotel within the city renting occupancy to transients shall be registered with the director of finance in the name of the operator. A transient rental tax license will be issued and will be at all times posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. ... Every person desiring to engage or continue in business activities within the city upon...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Tucson STR operators must carry at least 500,000 dollars in liability insurance covering short-term rental use, as required by AZ Rev Stat 9-500.39. Proof of coverage must be submitted annually with STR registration and the policy must name the operator and include the rental property address.

Short Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements

Heavy Restrictions

A.R.S. § 9-500.39(B)(8) — STR liability insurance requirement

9-500.39. Limits on regulation of vacation rentals and short-term rentals; state preemption; civil penalties; transaction privilege tax license suspension; definitions. [...] B. [...] A city or town may regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals as follows: [...] 8. To require the vacation rental or short-term rental to maintain liability insurance appropriate to cover the vacation rental ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Tucson cannot restrict short-term rentals to primary residences. Investors may operate multiple non-owner-occupied vacation rentals because Arizona Revised Statutes 9-500.39 preempts any local rule limiting STRs to a host's primary home.

No Primary-Residence Cap on Tucson STRs

Few Restrictions

A.R.S. § 9-500.39 — Limits on regulation of vacation rentals and short-term rentals

9-500.39. Limits on regulation of vacation rentals and short-term rentals; state preemption; civil penalties; transaction privilege tax license suspension; definitions. 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 a...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Platform Liability

Arizona's 2022 STR law requires hosting platforms to confirm that each Tucson listing carries a valid local permit number and to remove non-compliant listings on city request. Platforms that knowingly host unregistered units face state civil penalties.

Airbnb and Vrbo Must Verify Tucson Permits

Some Restrictions

A.R.S. § 9-500.39(B)(4),(B)(7) — STR advertising and emergency contact requirements

9-500.39. [...] B. [...] A city or town may regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals as follows: [...] 4. To require the owner of a vacation rental or short-term rental to provide the city or town with emergency contact information for the owner or the owner's designee who is responsible for responding to complaints or emergencies in a timely manner in person if required by public safety...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Looking for Pima County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tucson city rules.

Short-Term Rentals in Pima County →