Avondale, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Avondale's short-term rental ordinance does not mandate that the host or owner physically reside in or stay at the property during guest occupancy. The substitute for host presence is the required emergency contact: under the ordinance, the owner must provide and maintain emergency contact information for the owner or the owner's designee who can be reached, and respond, when a complaint or emergency arises. This tracks A.R.S. section 9-500.39, which expressly allows a city to require emergency contact information available by telephone, while prohibiting an outright ban or an owner-occupancy/host-presence mandate. Practically, the designated contact must display readiness to address noise, safety or nuisance complaints, so unhosted (remote) rentals are permitted as long as a responsive local point of contact exists. Many absentee owners appoint a professional property manager or local agent as the emergency designee to meet this standard. The emergency contact information must also be posted inside the unit (on the displayed license) so guests and neighbors know who to call. Because state law caps the city's authority, Avondale cannot force hosts to live on-site, but it can and does hold the responsible party accountable for the conduct of the rental through the emergency-contact and nuisance provisions.