Maricopa County, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max STR duration
- 30 consecutive days
- Rental unit
- Whole unit to one party only
- Room/bed rentals
- Prohibited
- Active STRs per parcel
- One at a time
- Barred occupants
- Registered sex offenders
- Banned uses
- Weddings, banquets, public assembly
Summary
Unincorporated Maricopa County caps short-term rental occupancy by party, not headcount: the whole dwelling must go to one renting party at a time, room-by-room rentals are banned, and only one STR can be active on a parcel at once.
A Short-Term Rental (STR) is the use of a single-family dwelling or an approved accessory dwelling unit for lease or rent for a duration of no more than 30 consecutive days. ... 3. The STR must be rented as a whole unit to a single party or individual. Partial rentals (e.g., by the room or by the bed) are prohibited. 4. Only one (1) STR unit may be rented per parcel at any given time. 5. The following are prohibited in connection with any STR: A. Use of the property for commercial events, public assembly, or special gatherings, including weddings, banquets, or similar functions. B. Signage, site-specific websites, or any external identification suggesting commercial operation. C. Operation of any retail, food service, or other commercial enterprise from the STR. 6. The STR may not be rented, leased, or occupied by any person who is a registered sex offender, and the lessee may not include such individuals as a member of the renting party.
Full Breakdown
" Two provisions specifically control who occupies the unit at any given time. , by the room or by the bed) are prohibited" - so a homeowner cannot list separate bedrooms to separate parties the way a boarding house or hostel would. Second, "only one (1) STR unit may be rented per parcel at any given time," meaning a property with both a primary home and an ADU cannot run two simultaneous rentals to two different renting parties. The Ordinance layers on activity restrictions that function as occupancy controls: STRs cannot be used for commercial events, public assembly, weddings, banquets, or similar gatherings that would bring more people onto the property than the renting party itself, and no signage, website, or external identification may suggest the property is a commercial lodging operation.
The Ordinance also bars a registered sex offender from renting, leasing, or occupying an STR, or being included as a member of the renting party. 3, item 2) and the cap of one STR per parcel per ADU-related rule.
Violations & Fines
Splitting an STR into separate room or bed rentals to multiple parties, running two active STR rentals on one parcel at once, hosting a wedding, banquet, or public assembly through an STR listing, or advertising an STR with signage or a dedicated website are each violations of Article 602.3 enforceable by county code enforcement, which can pursue civil citations and abatement against the property owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out individual bedrooms of my Maricopa County STR separately?
Can I run two short-term rentals on one property at the same time?
Can I host a wedding or party at my STR?
Are there occupant background restrictions on Maricopa County STRs?
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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