NE Valley Times

The City of Scottsdale has introduced new regulations for short-term and vacation rental properties, following the adoption of Ordinance 4655 by the City Council in October. This ordinance mandates that property owners and operators obtain a city license for each rental property and adhere to specific safety, health, and neighbor notification standards.

According to the ordinance, owners must secure an annual city license for each property they rent out. The licensing portal was opened on November 28, 2022. Existing rental properties must be licensed by January 8, 2023, while new properties need to comply with all requirements before being listed for rent in Scottsdale. The annual fee for each license is $250, which will entirely cover the costs associated with managing these rentals.

The City of Scottsdale will send letters to all active short-term/vacation rental listings to inform them about the new licensing requirements and guide them through the application process via the city's online portal. However, receiving a letter is not necessary for compliance; it remains the owner's responsibility to secure a license and meet all legal obligations.

In addition to obtaining a license, operators are required to have liability insurance and perform sex offender background checks on guests booking their properties. There are also stipulations regarding notifying neighbors when a property is first offered as a vacation rental or if contact information changes.

Other conditions include cleaning between stays, maintaining working smoke alarms, regular pest control measures, and ensuring pool areas meet barrier requirements by May 23, 2023. Non-residential uses of these properties remain prohibited; thus, they cannot host events. An emergency contact who can respond within one hour is also required.

These regulations align with Arizona Senate Bill 1168 passed earlier this year and reflect state law's full authority granted to cities like Scottsdale.

For more information about licensing requirements or resources available for neighborhoods regarding short-term rentals in Scottsdale, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search "short-term rental."