Rental Rules by City / Free checklist / Phoenix

Is my Phoenix rental legal? Checklist

Maricopa County, Arizona · Based on our Phoenix page, last verified Oct 24, 2026 · Print

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📋 The Basics

Can I rent my place short-term here?: Yes, with a license or tax registration
Do I need a permit?: Yes. You need a yearly city STR permit before renting.
What taxes do I pay?: Total about 13.07%. Airbnb says it collects these for you; you still pay them on bookings outside Airbnb.

Your 3 steps to be legal

Get an Arizona TPT (sales tax) license.
Get $500,000 liability insurance and notify neighbors.
Apply for the city permit.

⚠️ Biggest risk: Hosting events, which state law bans.

Words confusing? See the glossary. Details and official sources are below.

This is the general rule for Phoenix. Does your address qualify?

The free info covers the city as a whole. Your property can still be different: zoning can change from one street to the next, and an HOA or condo ban can stop rentals even where the city allows them. The penalties Phoenix lists are on the Phoenix page.

Your $49 Compliance Check looks at your exact property:

Whether your exact address and zone allow short-term rentals
A check of HOA / condo rental restrictions to look for
Which permits and tax accounts you personally need
What you're missing right now
A personal report with clear next steps and official sources, by email
A refund if we report a rule in error (refund policy)

🔎 How we check: official city, county and state sources, a last-verified date on every page, and nothing guessed. Learn more

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Rules don't change every week, but they do change, and nobody emails you when they do. We'll alert you when city rules, tourist taxes, HOA-related laws, or Airbnb/Vrbo policies change in Phoenix. Cancel anytime.

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Permit / license / registration

Permit: A City of Phoenix short-term rental permit is required before renting or offering a property (City Code 10-195); renewed annually.
Application: Needs an Arizona TPT license, a $500,000 liability insurance minimum, safety documentation and neighbor notice (City Code 10-197).

Zoning, where allowed & definitions

ADUs: The owner must live on site to use an accessory dwelling unit as an STR. Non-residential uses (events, etc.) are prohibited by A.R.S. 9-500.39; enhanced civil penalties apply.

Night limits, minimum stays & occupancy

Not listed on our page: Verify with the city/county before renting.

Fees, penalties & pending changes

Fees: $250 application (City Code 10-196). Verify current fee with the city.

Taxes & who collects them

Register / account for Arizona state TPT (lodging) (5.5%)
Register / account for Maricopa County excise (1.77%)
Register / account for Phoenix TPT (2.8%)
Register / account for Phoenix transient lodging tax (3%)
What Airbnb collects: Airbnb collects Arizona TPT, county excise tax and local transient taxes in Arizona (article 2295). Confirm on your payout reports.
Vrbo and direct bookings: check which taxes Vrbo collects in your area; for direct bookings you collect and remit all of them yourself.

Total rate: 13.07%. Combined 13.07% for stays of 29 consecutive days or less (City of Phoenix combined tax rate chart, Jan 2026). Stays over 29 days: city 2.8% only. Calculate.

HOA / condo check

Read your declaration, bylaws and rules for rental bans, minimum terms, caps and approval requirements.
Get any association sign-off or approval letter your city or association requires.
See our HOA & condo guide.

Insurance

Confirm your homeowner/condo policy covers short-term rental use, or add a short-term rental policy. Platform host protection is not a substitute for insurance.
Ask your association whether it requires specific liability coverage.

Deadlines

Renew city/county permits or registrations on their schedule (often annually): confirm the date with the office that issued it.
File state and local lodging tax returns on the schedule your tax office assigns.

Official sources

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Not legal or tax advice. Last verified Oct 24, 2026. Rules and rates change: confirm with the official sources linked before you rent or file.