Avondale, AZ Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum heat
- 70°F (Sec. 14-290(a))
- Max cooling temp
- 82°F AC / 86°F evaporative
- Hot water minimum
- 110°F (Sec. 14-250(c))
- First-offense fine
- $250 base (Sec. 14-110(a))
- Enforced by
- Code Compliance Division
- Inspection authority
- A.R.S. §§ 9-1302, 33-1904(A)(1)
Summary
Avondale requires every residential rental property to keep plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems in safe working order under City Code Article IV. Heating must reach at least 70 degrees, cooling can't exceed 82 degrees (86 with evaporative cooling), and hot water must run at least 110 degrees. Kitchens need a working oven, range and refrigerator, and the Code Compliance Division enforces it.
(a)All buildings both existing and new and all parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. All equipment, devices or safeguards which are required by this chapter or any other City Code shall be maintained in a safe and operable condition.(b)Every plumbing system, electrical system, heating and cooling system, ventilating system, fixture and appliance shall be properly installed, maintained in a safe working condition and shall be capable of performing the intended function(s).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Avondale's Property Maintenance Ordinance devotes Article IV of Chapter 14 (Sec. 14-220 through 14-380) to residential rental property, layering minimum interior standards on top of general maintenance rules. Sec. 14-240 sets the baseline: buildings must be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition, and every plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling and ventilating system must be properly installed and capable of performing its intended function. Sec. 14-250 requires a plumbing system free of leaks and obstructions, with water heaters delivering at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit to every sink, tub, shower and laundry connection.
Sec. 14-260 requires a bathroom with a water closet, lavatory basin and either a tub or shower supplied with hot and cold running water. Sec. 14-270 requires a kitchen equipped with a working oven and range or stove plus a refrigerator; hot plates, toaster ovens or microwaves cannot substitute. Sec. 14-290 sets temperature floors and ceilings: heating must reach at least 70 degrees, and cooling must keep rooms no warmer than 86 degrees under evaporative cooling or 82 degrees under air conditioning, measured three feet above the floor.
Sec. 14-320 requires interiors be kept free of insect, rodent or vermin infestation and excessive moisture. If an owner fails to correct an interior violation before a unit becomes vacant, Sec. 14-370 bars re-leasing it until the code official inspects and approves the repair. The Code Compliance Division may seek an inspection warrant under Sec. §§ 9-1302 and 33-1904(A)(1), if access to a rental unit is denied.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Article IV are civil offenses under the general Chapter 14 penalty schedule in Sec. 14-110: a $250 base fine for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third within 24 months, plus court surcharges. The Code Compliance Division issues a notice of violation before a civil citation; cases are heard in Avondale Municipal Court. Owners who ignore a corrective order risk an inspection warrant and a bar on re-occupancy until repairs are approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature must my Avondale rental's heater and AC maintain?
Is my landlord required to provide a refrigerator and stove?
What happens if my landlord won't fix a broken plumbing or heating system?
Sources & Official References
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