Phoenix, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Phoenix, AZ, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Phoenix City Code Sec. 10-195 to 10-197; A.R.S. 9-500.39(B)(5)
- Permit Fee
- Up to $250.00, nonrefundable
- Permit Term
- One year
- Issuance Deadline
- 7 business days
Summary
Phoenix requires every short-term/vacation rental to obtain and maintain a city STR permit before renting; permits run one year and the city must issue or deny within seven business days.
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. ... 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.
Full Breakdown
Effective November 6, 2023 (Ordinance G-7156, amending Phoenix City Code Chapter 10, Article XVI), Phoenix converted its prior registration program into a permit program. Section 10-195 makes it unlawful to rent or offer to rent a short-term rental without a current, unrevoked, unsuspended STR permit. Section 10-196 sets a one-year permit term and a nonrefundable application fee of up to $250.00. Applications (Section 10-197) must include the owner/agent contact information, the rental address, proof of a valid transaction privilege tax (TPT) license, evidence of liability insurance of at least $500,000.00 (or booking through a platform providing equal coverage), and evidence the property is registered with the Maricopa County Assessor. The permit fee, $250 cap, seven-business-day issuance window, and $500,000 insurance floor are all set by Arizona's preemption statute, A.R.S. 9-500.39(B)(5) and (C), which Phoenix implements. The owner must display the permit/license number on every advertisement.
Violations & Fines
Renting without a valid permit is prohibited; the city may impose civil penalties (Section 10-196 / A.R.S. 9-500.39(F)) and a property that fails to apply within 30 days of the permit process opening must cease operations, with up to $1,000/month additional penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Phoenix?
How long does Phoenix take to issue an STR permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Phoenix
How Phoenix compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Phoenix to another location·View the Arizona short-term rentals overview
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Short-Term Rental Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Maricopa County handle short-term rental permits.