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Phoenix, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Base hotel/lodging tax
2.8% of gross income
Additional transient lodging tax
3% of gross income
Combined city tax rate
5.8% total
TPT license required
State-issued, per § 10-204(B)
Governing chapter
City Code Ch. 14, Privilege Taxes

Summary

Phoenix taxes short-term rentals as hotels under City Code Chapter 14: a 2.8% base privilege tax plus an additional 3% transient lodging tax, a combined 5.8% on gross rental income collected by the city.

In addition to the taxes levied as provided in Section 14-444, there is hereby levied and shall be collected an additional tax in an amount equal to three percent of the gross income from the business activity of any hotel engaging or continuing within the City in the business of charging for lodging and/or lodging space furnished to any transient.

Source: Phoenix City Code Section 14-445 – Rental, Leasing, and Licensing for Use of Real Property (Privilege Tax)View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026).

Full Breakdown

The Phoenix City Code taxes vacation and short-term rentals as "hotels" because the Code's definition of "Hotel" reaches any house or apartment furnishing lodging to a transient for compensation. Section 14-444 sets a 2.8% privilege tax rate on the gross income of that lodging business. Section 14-447 layers an additional 3% tax on top, specifically on gross income from transient lodging. Together the combined city transaction privilege tax on Phoenix short-term rental income is 5.8%, charged on top of Arizona's state and Maricopa County transaction privilege tax and separate from the short-term rental permit fee itself.

Violations & Fines

Renting a short-term rental without a valid, state-issued transaction privilege tax license, or failing to remit the 2.8% hotel tax plus the 3% additional transient lodging tax, violates City Code Ch. 14 and § 10-204(B).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Phoenix charge extra tax on Airbnb and VRBO rentals?
Yes. Phoenix taxes short-term rentals as hotels: 2.8% of gross rental income under § 14-444, plus an additional 3% transient lodging tax under § 14-447, 5.8% combined city tax.
Is the Phoenix STR tax on top of state tax?
Yes. The 5.8% combined city tax applies on top of Arizona's state and Maricopa County transaction privilege tax, and operators must hold a state-issued TPT license per City Code § 10-204(B).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Phoenix

All Phoenix rules

How Phoenix compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Compare Phoenix to another location·View the Arizona short-term rentals overview

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