Arizona Bans Local Rent Control (A.R.S. § 33-1329)

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1329 declares that "the imposition of rent control on private residential housing units by cities, including charter cities, and towns is of statewide concern," and that "the power to control rents on private residential property is preempted by the state." It expressly states that cities, including charter cities, and towns "shall not have the power to control rents on private residential property." The preemption does not reach property owned, financed, insured, or subsidized by a state agency, city, or town. No Arizona statute imposes a statewide cap or percentage limit on rent increases for private housing, and no Arizona municipality operates a rent-control program. Landlords must still honor notice requirements and the terms of an existing lease before raising rent.

A local rent-control ordinance on private residential property would be void as preempted by A.R.S. § 33-1329 and unenforceable if challenged. There is no statutory penalty on landlords for raising rent, since no rent cap exists; the only limits are contractual lease terms and required advance notice.