Yuma, AZ Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard adopted
- 2024 International Property Maintenance Code
- Pool barrier height
- 60 inches minimum
- Required heat
- 68°F in habitable rooms
- Vacate deadline after declaration
- 72 hours
- Habitability code citation
- § 150-090
Summary
Yuma judges rental habitability inside its Neighborhood Revitalization Areas against the International Property Maintenance Code adopted at City Code § 150-090, per § 138-05. If an inspector finds an immediate threat to life, an uncorrected hazardous condition, or another dangerous condition under § 138-11, the property can be declared unfit for human habitation.
§ 138-05 Housing Code. The City of Yuma, for purposes of the Residential Rental Programs, utilizes standards of the International Property Maintenance Code or prevailing Code as adopted at § 150-090. The Housing Code shall not be construed to relieve the owner from compliance with any federal, state or other city requirements. ... § 138-11 Declaration of a residential rental property unfit for habitation. The inspector may declare a residential rental property to be unfit for human habitation if: (A) A condition exists that constitutes an immediate threat to life or an immediate threat of serious injury to the person or any occupant as determined by the inspector. (B) An emergency or hazardous condition has not been corrected as ordered. (C) Any other hazardous or dangerous condition exists as defined in any other ordinance adopted by the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through May 20, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 138 does not write its own habitability standard; § 138-05 incorporates by reference the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) the city adopted at § 150-090, as amended at § 150-091. 4. When a violation crosses from a code deficiency into a habitability emergency, § 138-11 lets the inspector declare the unit unfit for human habitation on three grounds: an immediate threat to life or serious injury, an emergency or hazardous condition the owner failed to correct as ordered, or any other hazardous or dangerous condition defined elsewhere in city ordinance.
Once that declaration issues, § 138-12 requires the city to order the owner, managing agent and tenants to vacate the affected unit within 72 hours of notice, and § 138-14 makes it unlawful for anyone to occupy the unit again until the declaration is lifted. Section 138-15 is explicit that a Certificate of Compliance is not a warranty the unit is habitable and does not create city liability for a code failure the inspection missed.
Violations & Fines
Occupying, or letting someone occupy, a unit posted unfit for human habitation is a separate offense under § 138-14, on top of the § 138-99 civil sanction of up to $500 per day for the underlying Housing Code violation. IPMC amendments carried in § 150-091(E) and (F) separately make failing to correct a posted violation a class 1 misdemeanor citywide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What housing code applies to Yuma rentals?
What happens if my rental is declared unfit for habitation?
Does a Certificate of Compliance guarantee my rental is habitable?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yuma
Compare Yuma to another location·View the Arizona rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.