Pima County, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- County Requirement
- None (state preemption)
- State Requirement
- None
- Homeowner Policy
- Often excludes STR activity
- Platform Coverage
- Airbnb AirCover up to $1M
Summary
Pima County does not mandate STR insurance due to ARS 9-500.39 preemption. Standard homeowner policies often exclude commercial lodging. Dedicated STR coverage recommended.
8. To require the vacation rental or short-term rental to maintain liability insurance appropriate to cover the vacation rental or short-term rental in the aggregate of at least $500,000 or to advertise and offer each vacation rental or short-term rental through an online lodging marketplace that provides equal or greater coverage.
9. To require the owner of a vacation rental or short-term rental to reside on the property if the property contains an accessory dwelling unit and if a certificate of occupancy, certificate of completion or similar final approval for the accessory dwelling unit was issued by the municipality on or after September 14, 2024. This paragraph does not apply to an owner of a vacation rental or short-term rental if the property contains an accessory dwelling unit and the certificate of completion, the certificate of occupancy or a similar final approval for the accessory dwelling unit was issued on or before September 13, 2024.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Pima County cannot impose insurance requirements specifically targeting short-term rental operators due to ARS 9-500.39 state preemption. There is no county ordinance requiring STR hosts to carry commercial liability insurance or additional coverage. However, standard homeowner insurance policies typically exclude or limit coverage for commercial lodging activities. Most major STR platforms provide some host liability protection -- Airbnb offers AirCover with up to $1 million in liability coverage, and VRBO has a similar program. Insurance industry experts recommend STR hosts obtain a commercial liability rider or a dedicated short-term rental insurance policy. Arizona law does not mandate STR insurance at the state level either. Lenders and mortgage companies may require notification when a property is used for short-term rentals, as it may affect coverage terms.
Violations & Fines
No county penalties for lack of STR insurance. Hosts assume personal liability for uninsured losses. Standard negligence liability applies under Arizona tort law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special insurance for a short-term rental in Pima County?
Does Airbnb cover me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pima County
Compare Pima County to another location·View the Arizona short-term rentals overview
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