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

**Yes**, a Short-Term Rental License is required to operate legally in Tucson. You need to register your property with the City of Tucson's online portal, which is free. Before you can register, you must obtain an Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license. Make sure to keep your registration current.

What is the TOT tax rate in Tucson?

**6% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Tucson. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the City. You are required to obtain an Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license to collect these taxes. Ensure you are compliant with all tax regulations.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Tucson?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in Tucson, provided you meet all requirements. You need to register with the city, obtain an Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license, and provide proof of $500,000 liability insurance. Additionally, you must notify all adjacent neighbors of your emergency contact information. Stay compliant to avoid penalties.

What are the key requirements for Tucson short-term rentals?

**Key requirements** include a Short-Term Rental License from the city and an Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license. You also need to provide proof of $500,000 liability insurance. Finally, you are required to notify all adjacent neighbors of your emergency contact information to ensure smooth operations. Failing to meet these requirements results in penalties.

What insurance do I need for short-term rentals in Tucson?

**You need** to maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance for your short-term rental in Tucson. This insurance is a mandatory requirement for operating legally within the city. Make sure your policy covers short-term rental activities, and provide proof of coverage during the registration process. Always keep your insurance policy updated.

Tucson, AZ Short-Term Rental Laws &...

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

Short-term rentals in Tucson are permitted but require mandatory registration with the City and a valid Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license. Hosts must provide proof of $500,000 liability insurance and formally notify all adjacent neighbors of their emergency contact information.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 8 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Tucson, you must first get a state tax license (TPT) from the Arizona Department of Revenue. You are then required to register your property for free with the City of Tucson's online portal. Before you finish, you have to send your contact info to all your next-door neighbors so they can reach you if there's a problem. Finally, make sure you have at least $500,000 in liability insurance and keep your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers up to date.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

Processing Time

Instant to 5 business days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Neighbor notification is mandatory BEFORE completing city registration.
2.The City of Tucson charges a $4.00 per night surtax in addition to the 6% transient lodging tax.
3.Failure to register can result in a $500 fine per violation per day.
4.The 24/7 emergency contact must respond to complaints within 60 minutes.
5.You must post the emergency contact and floor plan clearly inside the unit.
6.Arizona state law prevents the city from banning STRs entirely, but the city strictly enforces safety and notification rules.
7.Verify if your property is within City of Tucson limits; unincorporated Pima County has different (and currently more lenient) rules.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Tucson does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Tucson: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Tucson prohibits STRs in the following property types: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) for STR use if built after Sept 14, 2024 (unless owner-occupied).

Requirements(16)

•Tucson STR warning: The $4 per night surtax is being ELIMINATED as of March 1, 2026, replaced by the higher percentage rate.
•Tucson requires STR registration. The permit is called "City Business License". Apply through Business Services Department - License Section. Processing time: 1-2 weeks. Renewal is required.

Application Process(8)

•Tucson STR permit - Step 3: Apply for City of Tucson Business License. Register your business with the City of Tucson License Section using the online portal. Pay the initial licensing fees. Required documents: TPT License Number, Property Address, Owner Contact Info. Time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 95.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Tucson charges a registration fee of $95 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $70 (Initial $95 includes a $25 application fee and $70 annual fee; subsequent annual renewals are $70.).

Taxes(3)

•Arizona has a state sales tax of 5.6% that applies to STR rentals.
•Tucson charges a Occupational License Tax (Transient - Non Hotel) of 10%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms like Airbnb and VRBO remit the Arizona state/county portion; verify if they also remit the City of Tucson Occupational License Tax portion.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Tucson limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Tucson: The $4 per night surtax is being ELIMINATED as of March 1, 2026, replaced by the higher percentage rate.
•Tucson enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM (Standard Noise Ordinance).
•Tucson occupancy calculation: Occupancy limits governed by standard Fire/Building Codes. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Tucson requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Liability insurance of at least $500,000 required per ARS 9-500.39.

Penalties(3)

•Tucson: Failure to provide a 24-hour emergency contact can result in fines up to $1,000.
•Tucson enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250. Second offense: $1,000. Third offense: Up to $1,500 or 50% of gross monthly revenue. Daily fine: Varies by violation. Maximum fine: $1,500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

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

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Tucson

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

Requirements(16)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Tucson

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Tucson?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Tucson?

4What are the key requirements for Tucson short-term rentals?

5What insurance do I need for short-term rentals in Tucson?

Related Content

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Jerome

Coconino County

Maricopa County

Lake Havasu City