Phoenix, AZ Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum heat
- 70°F, 3 ft above floor
- Max temp, A/C cooling
- 82°F
- Max temp, evaporative cooling
- 86°F
- Portable unvented heaters
- prohibited
- Enforcement
- City inspection, Ch. 39
Summary
Phoenix requires rental units with installed systems to heat to at least 70°F and cool to 82°F (AC) or 86°F (evaporative), measured 3 feet above the floor.
Heating requirements. Every rental housing unit where such systems are installed shall have heating capable of safely heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and flushing toilet rooms to a temperature of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit at a distance three feet above floor level in the center of the room. Required heating shall be provided by permanently installed heating facilities.
b. Cooling requirements. Every rental housing unit where such systems are installed shall have cooling capable of safely cooling all habitable rooms, bathrooms and flushing toilet rooms to a temperature no greater than 86 degrees Fahrenheit, if cooled by evaporative cooling, or 82 degrees Fahrenheit, if cooled by air conditioning. Temperature measurements shall be taken at a distance three feet above the floor in the center of the room. Required cooling shall be provided by permanently installed cooling facilities.
c. Unvented combustion heaters; prohibited. No owner, agent, manager or tenant shall provide, install or allow to be installed or used any unvented portable space heaters burning solid, liquid or gaseous fuels.
d. Cooking appliances as heaters; prohibited. No owner, agent, manager, or tenant shall allow the use of any ovens, stoves or ranges, or other cooking appliances for the purpose of heating any portion of a dwelling.
2. Heating systems in dwellings or dwelling units shall not be removed except for immediate repair or replacement.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance, every rental housing unit with an installed heating system must be able to heat all habitable rooms and bathrooms to at least 70°F, measured three feet above the floor. Where a cooling system is installed, it must cool those same rooms to no more than 82°F if it's refrigerated air conditioning, or 86°F if it's evaporative cooling. Both must come from permanently installed equipment: portable unvented space heaters and using a stove or oven for heat are separately banned. The City can inspect for compliance and bar reoccupancy of a unit that fails until it's fixed.
Violations & Fines
Notice of violation with a correction deadline; unoccupied noncompliant units barred from re-occupancy until a compliance letter issues; City may inspect and charge reinspection fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Phoenix landlord have to provide air conditioning?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Phoenix
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