Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Phoenix?

Yes. Phoenix requires Short-Term Rental Permit (City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department), and the fee is $250. Short-term rentals are legal citywide in Phoenix — Arizona state law (A.R.S. 9-500.39) bars cities from banning them — but every STR property must hold a City of Phoenix Short-Term Rental Permit from the Planning & Development Department ($250 non-refundable fee, renewed every 12 months), plus an Arizona TPT license, $500,000 liability insurance, and certified-mail notice to neighbors. There are no night caps, minimum-stay rules, or per-owner unit limits, but nonresidential uses like special events are prohibited, and since April 4, 2026 an owner must live on-site to rent out a newly built accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Phoenix?

The Short-Term Rental Permit (City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department) fee in Phoenix is $250, renewed annual. Initial and renewal fee of $250 (non-refundable) per permit; applied for through the SHAPE PHX portal. State law caps the fee at the actual cost of issuing the permit or $250, whichever is less. City must issue or deny within 7 days of receiving all application documents.

How to get a short-term rental permit in Phoenix, AZ (2026)

Phoenix requires Short-Term Rental Permit (City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department) — the fee is $250, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.

Permit at a glance

Permit required	Yes
Permit name	Short-Term Rental Permit (City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department)
Permit fee	$250
Renewal	Annual

Step by step

1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. STRs are allowed in residential zones citywide; A.R.S. 9-500.39 preempts Arizona cities from restricting STRs based on zoning classification, use, or occupancy, so Phoenix regulates through a permit system (City Code ch. 10, art. XVI) rather than zoning. Nonresidential uses of an STR (special events requiring a permit, retail, restaurant, banquet space, etc.) are prohibited by state law. Exception: a property with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that received a certificate of occupancy on or after 2024-09-14 may only be used as an STR if the property owner resides on the same property (attestation with proof of address required for applications from 2026-04-04).
2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Permit (City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department)
Submit the Short-Term Rental Permit (City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department) application to Phoenix and pay the $250 fee. Initial and renewal fee of $250 (non-refundable) per permit; applied for through the SHAPE PHX portal. State law caps the fee at the actual cost of issuing the permit or $250, whichever is less. City must issue or deny within 7 days of receiving all application documents.
3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Phoenix. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.

STR rules change without warning.

Get an email the moment Phoenix changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

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Verified July 10, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Phoenix before applying.

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