Maricopa County, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Property includes an accessory dwelling unit
- Requirement
- Owner must reside on the property
- Grandfather cutoff
- ADU approved on or before Sept. 13, 2024
- Scope
- Unincorporated Maricopa County only
- Source section
- MCZO Article 602.3, Item 2
Summary
In unincorporated Maricopa County, an accessory dwelling unit used with a short-term rental means the property owner must live on-site, unless the ADU's certificate of occupancy predates September 13, 2024.
The owner of a short-term rental must reside on the property if the property contains an accessory dwelling unit unless a certificate of occupancy, certificate of completion or similar final approval for the accessory dwelling unit was issued by the County on or before September 13, 2024.
Full Breakdown
Maricopa County's zoning ordinance lets unincorporated-area landowners rent a single-family home or an accessory dwelling unit for stays up to 30 days, but where the property includes an ADU, the owner must reside on-site while the short-term rental operates. Properties whose ADU received a final certificate of occupancy or completion on or before September 13, 2024 are grandfathered out of that residency condition. The rule is paired with other STR standards in the same section: whole-unit rental only, one STR per parcel, no commercial events or signage, and no renting to registered sex offenders.
Violations & Fines
Zoning code enforcement can cite an unpermitted or non-compliant STR as a zoning violation, order it to cease operating, and pursue civil penalties under the County's zoning enforcement procedures for continued noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live at my Maricopa County short-term rental?
Is there an exception to the owner-residency requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa County
Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona short-term rentals overview
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