Mesa becomes the latest city to regulate short-term rentals

By Judy J. Beasley Last updated Dec 10, 2022

MESA, Arizona (3TV/CBS 5) — Mesa is now the latest city to regulate short-term rentals, mirroring what other East Valley cities have done to address community issues and complaints.

Arizona’s Family has already reported a plethora of issues affecting landlords and community members after a rise in investment-type properties, some of which are run like hotels, operating in otherwise quiet, family-oriented suburban neighborhoods.

What does this ordinance do for the residents of Mesa?

Requires compliance with city codes and applicable laws, including zoning, taxes, noise, health and safety
Requires emergency contact details for one or more local people responsible for responding to complaints and emergencies
Requires advising neighboring properties that a property will be used as a short term rental
Establishes minimum liability insurance requirements
Prohibited uses by law including sex offender housing, sober houses, sale of alcohol or illegal drugs, obscenity, pornography, adult affairs, special events and retail
Defines grounds and processes for license denial and suspension
Establishes civil penalties against owners and others

Short-term rentals, long-term problems for Valley residents

Tourists often flock to the East Valley to take advantage of Arizona’s mild winter and popular events like the WM Phoenix Open. With the Super Bowl fast approaching in February, even more is expected in the Valley as the New Year approaches. Many of them book through sites like Airbnb and VBRO. Earlier this year, new laws in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley went into effect. Both cities allow police to issue citations to tenants and landlords and provide emergency contact. It is supposed to hold both parties accountable.

“I feel like I live in an unregulated 24/7 bar district. So when the bar in Tempe or Scottsdale closes, they come home and keep the party going here,” said Scottsdale owner Stephanie Nestlerode told Arizona’s Family in February “We chose this neighborhood across the street from the school because we were looking to start a family in a quieter neighborhood where we grew up, and it turned out. completely turned against us.”

In the last legislative session, Senate Bill 1168 passed, protecting thousands of Arizona homeowners who share their homes on the site and offering guidelines for communities to deal with particular properties that become a nuisance. In September, Arizona’s Family found that the city of Phoenix was not properly verifying short-term rentals. The city ordinance requires short-term rentals to be registered with the city or face a fine. Since January 2020, there have been 1,504, but Arizona Neighborhood Alliance activist group co-founder Susan Edwards says the number is much higher.

And after?

City officials say the ordinance is expected to take effect in February 2023. Council members are still working to determine license fees and fines.