COCONINO COUNTY — At the January 24, 2023 special meeting of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, the Board viewed a presentation and provided direction in crafting a new ordinance regulating short-term rental properties in the county.
A new Arizona state law, enacted by the State Legislature in 2022 gives local governments the legal authority to regulate short-term rental properties within their jurisdictions.
The Board has acknowledged through public input that short-term rental properties have both positive and negative impacts on our communities and requested the County’s Community Development Department and the County Attorney’s Office to draft an ordinance specific to Coconino County’s unincorporated communities and neighborhoods.
The major aspects of the first draft of the proposed ordinance are:
- Allows for Coconino County to require a permit for short-term rental properties and to collect up to $250 as a permit fee.
- Requires property owners to notify neighbors and to provide the County with an emergency point of contact.
- Requires the property owner to provide a transaction privilege tax license number.
- Provides definitions for verified violations of the ordinance and a process to suspend or revoke a short-term rental license based on verified violations.
- Prohibits property owners from allowing use of short-term rentals for special events or large gatherings that would have an adverse effect on a residential neighborhood.
- Requires property owners to maintain reasonable access for emergency services.
“Until this last legislative session, Arizona law prohibited local communities from banning or limiting short term rentals. With local government’s hands tied, some rentals became party houses and board members received complaints regarding negative consequences to our quiet residential neighborhoods including noise, traffic, parking problems, litter and safety concerns,” stated Board Chair and District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman. “The changes to the law allow municipalities some limited oversight and the permitting of homes used for short term rentals.”
Other Board members present at the meeting voiced their agreement that it is essential for Coconino County to enact local oversight in the short-term rental market in order to ensure safe and livable neighborhoods without missing out on the many benefits that properly regulated short-term rentals can provide to the local economy.
“This is the result of our communicating with the legislature to express our concerns about not having regulatory authority over short-term rentals,” added District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan. “Albeit limited, we now have a very important tool that will promote voluntary compliance and encourage people to be good neighbors.”
There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 during which the Board will hear public comment, and consider and possibly adopt the final ordinance.
Members of the public wishing to observe and participate in the hearing may do so via Zoom Teleconference at the link and telephone number provided at bit.y/CCShortTermRental. Anyone wishing to provide written comment may do so up to 24-hours prior to the hearing time by sending an email to Assistant Director of Community Development Jess McNeely at wmcneely@coconino.az.gov.