Surprise, AZ Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Article III of Chapter 105, the 'Surprise Rental Accountability Ordinance' (§ 105-90), applies citywide to residential rental property regardless of use or construction date and exists 'to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the city by providing for accountability of property owners for slum conditions and criminal conduct' (§ 105-91). Section 105-92 defines a 'slum property' as residential rental property that has deteriorated or is in a state of disrepair and shows one or more of five hazard categories: hazardous electrical systems or gas connections; lack of safe, rapid egress; accumulations of human or animal waste, medical or biological waste, or dangerous chemicals and drug paraphernalia; structurally unsound exterior surfaces, roofs, walls, doors, floors, stairwells, porches or railings; or a lack of potable water, adequate sanitation facilities, or adequate water and waste pipe connections.

The community development director administers this standard and may order any structure made safe if it poses an imminent health or safety threat (§ 105-93). Under § 105-100, any building found after inspection to meet the slum property definition is declared a public nuisance and must be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal. Formal designation requires, under § 105-101, that the property meet the slum definition, have three or more of the property maintenance code's listed defects at inspection, have unremedied violations after the notice period, and have no pending appeal; the director then records a certifying document with the county recorder, later filing a release once corrections are complete.

S. Title 33, Chapter 17, covering penalties, temporary receivership, annual inspections and inspection cost recovery, and § 105-103 lets the city seek a temporary receiver or require a property management firm and recover its costs through fees, liens or assessments.