Night Caps: Mesa vs Scottsdale
How do night caps rules compare between Mesa, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ?
Mesa and Scottsdale have similar restriction levels.
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 →Scottsdale, AZ
Maricopa County
Scottsdale does not impose any annual night cap on short-term or vacation rentals. Arizona SB 1350 (2016) and HB 2672 (2019) preempt cities and counties from prohibiting STRs or restricting them based on classification, use, or occupancy duration, so Ordinance 4566 (SRC 18-175) regulates safety, registration, and nuisance behavior rather than capping rental nights.
View full Scottsdale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mesa | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Night cap | Prohibited | - |
| Statute | ARS §9-500.39(A) | - |
| Season blackouts | Not allowed | - |
| Tax | Lodging tax still owed | - |
| Annual Night Cap | - | None |
| State Preemption | - | ARS 9-500.39 (SB 1350/HB 2672) |
| City Ordinance | - | 4566 / SRC 18-175 |
| Min Nights | - | No city minimum |
| Nuisance Rule | - | SRC 18-121 |
| Code Enforcement | - | 480-312-2546 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Scottsdale FAQ
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent my Scottsdale Airbnb?
No. Scottsdale does not impose any annual night cap on licensed short-term rentals. Arizona SB 1350 (2016) and HB 2672 (2019) preempt cities from prohibiting STRs or restricting them based on classification, use, or duration, so a property licensed under Ordinance 4566 (SRC 18-175) may operate year-round. Private HOAs and master-planned community CC&Rs may impose their own restrictions, however.
Can Scottsdale change its mind and cap STR nights in the future?
Not without a change in state law. Because Arizona's STR preemption (SB 1350 and HB 2672) bars cities and counties from restricting rentals based on duration, Scottsdale cannot unilaterally adopt night caps or minimum-stay rules. The Legislature has periodically debated tighter rules; confirm any recent changes with Scottsdale Code Enforcement at 480-312-2546 or the Arizona Department of Revenue before relying on this answer.
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