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

Section 16-20 of the Tucson Code, in Article III of the Neighborhood Preservation chapter, supplies the substantive habitability floor for residential rental property in the city. It defines "slum property" as residential rental property that "has deteriorated or is in a state of disrepair and that manifests one (1) or more of the following conditions that are a danger to the health or safety of the public": structurally unsound exterior surfaces, roofs, walls, doors, floors, stairwells, porches, or railings; lack of potable water, adequate sanitation facilities, or adequate water or waste pipe connections; hazardous electrical systems or gas connections; lack of safe, rapid egress; and accumulations of human or animal waste, medical or biological waste, gaseous or combustible materials, dangerous or corrosive liquids, flammable or explosive materials, or drug paraphernalia.

These five conditions are the operative habitability standard: under § 16-24(a), a property can be designated a slum property only if it meets the § 16-20 definition and has three or more of these (or related Article II) conditions at the time of inspection, and only after a § 16-45 notice of violation goes unremedied and any appeal window closes. " The designation is recorded with the county recorder under § 16-24(b) and stands until the code official files a certificate confirming the corrections are complete.