Mesa, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Mesa City Code Title 5, Chapter 15 (Short-Term Rentals) was adopted by the Mesa City Council in October 2022 and took effect February 1, 2023. Every owner of a property rented for periods of less than 30 days must apply for and maintain a City of Mesa Short-Term Rental License through the Business Services Department. The application requires: (1) a $250 license fee, (2) proof of liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence covering the rental use, (3) the name and 24-hour contact information for an emergency local contact who can respond to complaints within one hour, (4) a current Arizona Department of Revenue Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license number, (5) Maricopa County Assessor residential rental registration, and (6) sex-offender background-check attestation for the operator. Before accepting the first booking, the licensee must mail or hand-deliver written neighbor notification to every property owner within 200 feet of the rental, identifying the operator and the 24-hour emergency contact. Licenses are issued annually and must be renewed each year. Mesa's ordinance is constrained by Arizona Revised Statutes Section 9-500.39, which preempts most local STR regulation, prohibits outright bans on short-term lodging in residential zones, and caps fees at the cost of administering the program; cities may, however, require licensing, neighbor notification, liability insurance, emergency contacts, and offender background checks, and may bar special events such as weddings or commercial photo shoots that exceed the home's residential occupancy. Mesa exercises each of these state-authorized requirements. Enforcement is handled by Mesa Code Compliance and Mesa Police; complaints can trigger inspection, citation, civil penalty, and ultimately license suspension or revocation for repeat verified violations.