Night Caps: Gilbert vs Mesa
How do night caps rules compare between Gilbert, AZ and Mesa, AZ?
Gilbert and Mesa have similar restriction levels.
Gilbert, AZ
Maricopa County
The Town of Gilbert imposes NO annual or per-stay night cap on short-term rentals. Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-500.39 expressly preempts cities and towns from prohibiting STRs or capping the number of nights or units used as vacation rentals. Stays under 30 consecutive days are taxable transient lodging.
View full Gilbert rules →Mesa, AZ
Maricopa County
Mesa cannot cap the number of nights a property is rented short-term per year. ARS §9-500.39 bars cities from imposing usage limits that effectively prohibit vacation rentals, leaving operators free to book year-round.
View full Mesa rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Gilbert | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Night Cap | None (state-preempted) | - |
| State Statute | A.R.S. § 9-500.39 | - |
| STR Threshold | <30 consecutive days | - |
| Town Code | Ch. 14, Art. III (no night limit) | - |
| License Required | Yes ($100 / year) | - |
| Contact | ShortTermRentals@gilbertaz.gov | - |
| Night cap | - | Prohibited |
| Statute | - | ARS §9-500.39(A) |
| Season blackouts | - | Not allowed |
| Tax | - | Lodging tax still owed |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Gilbert FAQ
Is there a maximum number of nights I can rent my Gilbert home short-term?
No. Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-500.39 preempts the Town from capping the total nights or total STR units, and Gilbert Town Code Chapter 14, Article III contains no nightly limit. You may rent year-round so long as your $100 Town license, $500,000 liability insurance, Arizona TPT license and emergency contact stay current. Confirm the current rules at ShortTermRentals@gilbertaz.gov.
What counts as a short-term rental under Gilbert and Arizona law?
Under A.R.S. § 9-500.39, a short-term or vacation rental is a residential dwelling rented for less than 30 consecutive days. Stays of 30 consecutive days or more fall outside the STR ordinance and Town licensing requirement. Rentals under 30 days are subject to Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax plus Gilbert's local lodging tax, collected via the GovOS/MuniRevs portal.
Mesa FAQ
Can Mesa limit me to 90 nights?
No. State preemption blocks any annual night cap. Mesa enforces conduct violations per incident rather than capping how often the property is rented.
Do peak-season blackouts apply?
No. Mesa cannot impose season-based prohibitions or limit Spring Training rentals; STRs may operate every day of the calendar year.
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