Arizona Rent Control Prohibited Statewide By Statute

ARS 33-1329 states that no city, town, or county may enact any measure that would control rents on privately owned real property. The prohibition covers ordinances limiting rent increases, mandating rollback, or capping fees on tenants. Exceptions exist only for property owned, operated, or financed by the political subdivision itself. The statute, originally enacted in 1981, has withstood repeated legislative challenges and effectively bars Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe, and Flagstaff from enacting tenant rent caps regardless of local political support.

Any local rent-control ordinance is void and unenforceable. Tenants and landlords may seek declaratory judgment striking down conflicting municipal measures.