Maricopa County, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Maricopa County, AZ, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- State Preemption
- ARS §9-500.39
- County Permit
- None required
- HOA Impact
- CC&Rs may restrict
- 2022 Amendment
- SB 1168 enforcement tools
Summary
Arizona's ARS §9-500.39 preempts local governments from banning short-term rentals, extending to counties. Maricopa County has no STR permit or registration system for unincorporated areas. HOA CC&Rs may restrict STRs in planned communities.
9-500.39. Limits on regulation of vacation rentals and short-term rentals; state preemption; civil penalties; transaction privilege tax license suspension; definitions
A. A city or town may not prohibit vacation rentals or short-term rentals.
B. A city or town may not restrict the use of or regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals based on their classification, use or occupancy except as provided in this section. A city or town may regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals as follows:
5. To require the owner of a vacation rental or short-term rental to obtain and maintain a local regulatory permit or license. As a condition of issuance of a permit or license, the application for the permit or license may require an applicant to provide only the following:
(a) The name, address, telephone number and email address for the owner or owner's agent.
(b) The address of the vacation rental or short-term rental.
(c) Proof of compliance with section 42-5005.
(d) Contact information required pursuant to paragraph 4 of this subsection.
(e) Acknowledgment of an agreement to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.
(f) A fee not to exceed the actual cost of issuing the permit or license or $250, whichever is less.
C. A city or town that requires a local regulatory permit or license pursuant to this section shall issue or deny the permit or license within seven business days of receipt of the information required by subsection B, paragraph 5 of this section and otherwise in accordance with section 9-835, except that a city or town may deny issuance of a permit or license only for any of the following:
1. Failure to provide the information required by subsection B, paragraph 5, subdivisions (a) through (e) of this section.
2. Failure to pay the required permit or license fee.
Full Breakdown
ARS §9-500.39 (SB 1350, 2016) prevents Arizona cities and counties from prohibiting vacation or short-term rentals in residential areas. Maricopa County has no STR permit, registration, or inspection requirement for unincorporated territory. The 2022 amendment (SB 1168) gave local governments additional enforcement tools for verified nuisance properties, but these apply primarily to incorporated cities. In practice, HOA CC&Rs in Maricopa County's many planned communities are the primary mechanism restricting STR operations. Property owners in unincorporated areas without HOA governance face virtually no barriers to operating short-term rentals beyond tax compliance.
Violations & Fines
No county STR permit violations. HOA violations enforced through civil CC&R provisions. Tax non-compliance penalties from ADOR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Maricopa County?
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Maricopa County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa County
How Maricopa County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona short-term rentals overview
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