What are the key requirements for Tempe hosts?

Mandatory sex offender background checks must be performed on all guests and records kept for 12 months.

What are the key requirements for Tempe hosts?

Emergency contacts must be available to respond to physical issues within 30 minutes.

What should Tempe hosts know about property owners can be fined?

Property owners can be fined $1,000 per month for operating without a city license.

What are the key requirements for Tempe hosts?

Neighbor notification must include an attestation sent to the city within 30 days of licensing.

Tempe

Moderate

ArizonaUpdated Mar 12, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 5, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Tempe requires all short-term rental operators to obtain a city license, pay an annual $250 fee, and notify neighboring residents of their operations.

Restriction level

Severity 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Tempe, you must register with the city, have a valid state tax license, and provide proof of $500,000 liability insurance. You are also required to perform sex offender background checks on guests and provide your contact information to neighbors so they can reach you in an emergency.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time1-2 weeks

Max fine$3,500

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Mandatory sex offender background checks must be performed on all guests and records kept for 12 months.
2Emergency contacts must be available to respond to physical issues within 30 minutes.
3Property owners can be fined $1,000 per month for operating without a city license.
4Neighbor notification must include an attestation sent to the city within 30 days of licensing.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Tempe does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Tempe allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Tenants must have written permission from the owner to operate an STR and must meet all city licensing requirements.
Tempe: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements13 rules

Tempe: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
Tempe: Hosts must report their rental activity per-booking to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Tempe requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental License". Apply through Tax & License Division. Processing time: 1-2 weeks. Renewal is required.

Application process8 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Tempe: Step 1: Obtain State TPT License - Apply for a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license through the Arizona Department of Revenue (AZDOR). Documents needed: Business information, Property address. Estimated time: 1-3 days. Cost: 12. More info: https://aztaxes.gov/ Step 2: Register with Maricopa County Assessor - All residential rental properties in Arizona must be registered with the County Assessor's office. Documents needed: Property parcel number, Owner contact info. Estimated time: 1-5 days. More info: https://mcassessor.maricopa.gov/ Step 3: Apply for Tempe STR License - Submit the regulatory license application through the City of Tempe's online portal. Documents needed: TPT License Number, Proof of Liability Insurance, County Assessor Registration Proof. Estimated time: 7-10 business days. Cost: 250. More info: https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-development/short-term-rentals Step 4: Neighbor Notification - After license approval, notify adjacent, opposite, and diagonal neighbors in writing with your license number and emergency contact info. Documents needed: Emergency Contact Name/Number, License Number. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.tempe.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/103175/638102377317730000

Fees & costs1 rule

Tempe charges a registration fee of $250 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $187.5 (Pro-rated fee for licenses issued after July 1st).

Taxes2 rules

Arizona has a state sales tax of 0.056% that applies to STR rentals.
Tempe charges a Transient Lodging & City TPT of 0.068%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit most city and state TPT, but owners must still file reporting forms.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Tempe enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Tempe limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Tempe occupancy calculation: Limited by fire code and occupancy standards per bedroom. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Tempe requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Sex offender background checks on guests, Pool barrier compliance if applicable, 24/7 emergency contact response within 30 minutes.

Penalties3 rules

Tempe: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Tempe: Property owners can be fined $1,000 per month for operating without a city license.

Exemptions2 rules

Tempe exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Tempe: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Tempe

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain State TPT License

Apply for a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license through the Arizona Department of Revenue (AZDOR).

1-3 days$12

Documents needed

Business information
Property address

Official resource

Step 2

Register with Maricopa County Assessor

All residential rental properties in Arizona must be registered with the County Assessor's office.

1-5 daysFree

Documents needed

Property parcel number
Owner contact info

Official resource

Step 3

Apply for Tempe STR License

Submit the regulatory license application through the City of Tempe's online portal.

7-10 business days$250

Documents needed

TPT License Number
Proof of Liability Insurance
County Assessor Registration Proof

Official resource

Step 4

Neighbor Notification

After license approval, notify adjacent, opposite, and diagonal neighbors in writing with your license number and emergency contact info.

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Emergency Contact Name/Number
License Number

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Tempe

Moderate

ArizonaUpdated Mar 12, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 5, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Tempe requires all short-term rental operators to obtain a city license, pay an annual $250 fee, and notify neighboring residents of their operations.

Restriction level

Severity 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time1-2 weeks

Max fine$3,500

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Mandatory sex offender background checks must be performed on all guests and records kept for 12 months.
2Emergency contacts must be available to respond to physical issues within 30 minutes.
3Property owners can be fined $1,000 per month for operating without a city license.
4Neighbor notification must include an attestation sent to the city within 30 days of licensing.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Tempe does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Tempe allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Tenants must have written permission from the owner to operate an STR and must meet all city licensing requirements.
Tempe: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements13 rules

Tempe: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
Tempe: Hosts must report their rental activity per-booking to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Tempe requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental License". Apply through Tax & License Division. Processing time: 1-2 weeks. Renewal is required.

Application process8 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Tempe: Step 1: Obtain State TPT License - Apply for a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license through the Arizona Department of Revenue (AZDOR). Documents needed: Business information, Property address. Estimated time: 1-3 days. Cost: 12. More info: https://aztaxes.gov/ Step 2: Register with Maricopa County Assessor - All residential rental properties in Arizona must be registered with the County Assessor's office. Documents needed: Property parcel number, Owner contact info. Estimated time: 1-5 days. More info: https://mcassessor.maricopa.gov/ Step 3: Apply for Tempe STR License - Submit the regulatory license application through the City of Tempe's online portal. Documents needed: TPT License Number, Proof of Liability Insurance, County Assessor Registration Proof. Estimated time: 7-10 business days. Cost: 250. More info: https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-development/short-term-rentals Step 4: Neighbor Notification - After license approval, notify adjacent, opposite, and diagonal neighbors in writing with your license number and emergency contact info. Documents needed: Emergency Contact Name/Number, License Number. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.tempe.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/103175/638102377317730000

Fees & costs1 rule

Tempe charges a registration fee of $250 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $187.5 (Pro-rated fee for licenses issued after July 1st).

Taxes2 rules

Arizona has a state sales tax of 0.056% that applies to STR rentals.
Tempe charges a Transient Lodging & City TPT of 0.068%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit most city and state TPT, but owners must still file reporting forms.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Tempe enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Tempe limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Tempe occupancy calculation: Limited by fire code and occupancy standards per bedroom. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Tempe requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Sex offender background checks on guests, Pool barrier compliance if applicable, 24/7 emergency contact response within 30 minutes.

Penalties3 rules

Tempe: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Tempe: Property owners can be fined $1,000 per month for operating without a city license.

Exemptions2 rules

Tempe exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Tempe: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Tempe

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain State TPT License

Apply for a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license through the Arizona Department of Revenue (AZDOR).

1-3 days$12

Documents needed

Business information
Property address

Official resource

Step 2

Register with Maricopa County Assessor

All residential rental properties in Arizona must be registered with the County Assessor's office.

1-5 daysFree

Documents needed

Property parcel number
Owner contact info

Official resource

Step 3

Apply for Tempe STR License

Submit the regulatory license application through the City of Tempe's online portal.

7-10 business days$250

Documents needed

TPT License Number
Proof of Liability Insurance
County Assessor Registration Proof

Official resource

Step 4

Neighbor Notification

After license approval, notify adjacent, opposite, and diagonal neighbors in writing with your license number and emergency contact info.

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Emergency Contact Name/Number
License Number

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain State TPT License

Register with Maricopa County Assessor

Apply for Tempe STR License

Neighbor Notification

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Tempe?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Tempe?

3Are there rental night limits in Tempe?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Tempe?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain State TPT License

Register with Maricopa County Assessor

Apply for Tempe STR License

Neighbor Notification

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Tempe?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Tempe?

3Are there rental night limits in Tempe?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Tempe?

Disclaimer