🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Maricopa County, AZ
STRs Get a Clearer Rulebook Under Maricopa County’s New Zoning Ordinance
Maricopa County Modernizes Zoning Rules, Sets Clear Lane for STRs
Maricopa County has officially updated its zoning ordinance, and while the overhaul touches nearly every corner of development, short-term rentals are clearly part of the picture. On December 10, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a modernized ordinance designed to simplify rules, reduce red tape, and create clearer guidance for housing projects — including how and where short-term rentals can operate.
The update replaces a decades-old zoning framework that county leaders said no longer reflected current housing needs or state law. Board Chairman Thomas Galvin emphasized that zoning decisions affect everyone from individual homeowners to large-scale developers, and the revised ordinance aims to strike a balance between flexibility and neighborhood protections.
Thomas Galvin
For short-term rental owners and investors, the key takeaway is clarity. The new ordinance explicitly allows short-term rentals in accordance with Arizona state law, while also preserving limits intended to protect neighborhood quality of life. County officials did not eliminate local oversight entirely, but instead aligned county zoning rules with state standards, reducing confusion for property owners navigating overlapping regulations.
This clarity comes after months of public input. Over a six-month period, more than 160 stakeholders participated in meetings, and hundreds of residents weighed in through public hearings and an online survey. That feedback shaped how short-term rentals often a hot-button issue were addressed alongside broader housing reforms.
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The zoning update also expands housing flexibility in ways that could indirectly affect the short-term rental market. The ordinance now allows multiple accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on a single-family property, as permitted under state law. While ADUs are typically associated with long-term housing, they can also influence short-term rental inventory depending on how property owners choose to use them.
County leaders framed the changes as a deliberate effort to cut unnecessary bureaucracy. The revised ordinance removes 53 pages and nearly 15,000 words, consolidates land use categories, and introduces easier-to-read tables and charts. For short-term rental owners, this could mean fewer hurdles when confirming whether a property complies with zoning requirements.
While the ordinance doesn’t introduce new caps or registration systems for short-term rentals, it reinforces the county’s intent to allow them within a structured framework. The goal, according to county officials, is predictability — for neighbors, renters, and owners alike.
The updated zoning ordinance is now available through the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department.
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