Mesa City Code Chapter 5-15, effective Feb. 1, 2023, requires every short-term and vacation rental owner to obtain a Mesa Short-Term Rental License before listing a property under 30 days. The fee is $250 to apply and $250 annually to renew per unit, and operators must also hold an Arizona TPT license and a Mesa business license.
Mesa City Code Title 5, Chapter 15 (Short-Term Rentals) implements Arizona SB 1350/HB 2672/HB 2374, which preempt outright STR bans but expressly allow cities to license, set up to a $250 fee, and require $500,000 in liability coverage. The license application requires the owner's name, address, phone, and email; the property address; the Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license number; and the name, address, phone, and email of a local emergency point of contact who can respond 24/7. Owners must notify adjacent neighbors that the property will operate as a short-term rental and post the owner-or-designee and emergency contact information in a conspicuous place within three feet of the primary entrance. Maricopa County Assessor registration as a vacation rental is also required by state law. The city allows 7 business days to approve or deny a complete application. Apply through the Mesa Business Services and Licensing division.
Operating without a Mesa Short-Term Rental License under Chapter 5-15 carries escalating civil penalties of $250 the first month, $500 the second, $750 the third, and $900 each month thereafter. Failure to post required contact information or notify neighbors is also a violation enforced by Mesa Code Compliance.
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