Host Presence Rule: Phoenix vs Scottsdale
How do host presence rule rules compare between Phoenix, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ?
Phoenix has fewer restrictions than Scottsdale.
Phoenix, AZ
Maricopa County
Arizona Revised Statutes §9-500.39 (amended by HB-2672 in 2022) restored city authority to regulate short-term rentals for noise, safety, and registration but does not require host presence. Phoenix permits both hosted and unhosted vacation rentals citywide.
View full Phoenix rules →Scottsdale, AZ
Maricopa County
Arizona House Bill 2672 (2022) restored limited short-term rental authority to counties and cities. Maricopa County may require operator registration, emergency contact, and liability insurance, but cannot mandate the host be physically present during a guest stay.
View full Scottsdale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Phoenix | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Host presence | Not required | Cannot be required |
| State statute | ARS §9-500.39 | - |
| Restoring law | HB-2672 (2022) | - |
| Registration | Required citywide | - |
| Emergency contact | 24/7 local contact required | - |
| Statute | - | ARS 11-269.17 |
| Insurance | - | $500K liability |
| Emergency response | - | One-hour contact |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Phoenix FAQ
Does the owner have to live in the Phoenix STR?
No. Arizona law preempts owner-occupancy mandates. Phoenix allows whole-home rentals where no host is on site, provided the operator registers and meets noise, safety, and notification rules.
Can Phoenix ban short-term rentals?
No. ARS §9-500.39 preempts outright bans. Cities may regulate health, safety, registration, and nuisance impacts but cannot prohibit lawful short-term rentals based on duration alone.
Scottsdale FAQ
Can Maricopa County limit STRs to owner-occupied homes?
No. ARS 11-269.17 forbids the county from treating owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs differently. Any host-presence or primary-residence rule is preempted by HB-2672.
What can Maricopa County require of an STR operator?
Registration with permit number on listings, a local contact reachable within one hour, liability insurance or platform coverage, and standard zoning, building, and noise compliance. No host-presence mandate is allowed.
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