Background:

Short-term Vacation Rentals, which are residential properties rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days, including properties that have been listed on online lodging marketplaces (Airbnb, VRBO, etc), are subject to Article 8-8 of the Litchfield Park City Code, as amended on May 17, 2023 by Ordinance No. 23-269.

Short-Term Rentals operating within the City of Litchfield Park are required to:

1. Obtain an Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license, and include the license number on all listings and advertisements; and

2. register the property as required by ARS 33-1902; and

3. obtain an annual City Business License ($55 with a one-time $10 processing fee); and

4. obtain an annual Short-Term Vacation Rental Permit ($250 fee).

Once the license and permit have been issued, City Code requires every property to provide proof of insurance with coverage limits of at least $500,000 (this insurance can be provided by the property owner or through an online lodging marketplace). It also requires the operator of a Short-Term Rental to provide a standardized notification form to residents of each single-family residential property adjacent to the vacation rental property, directly across from the vacation rental property, and diagonally across the street from the vacation rental property. These steps must be completed within ten days of receiving a Short-Term Vacation Rental Permit.

Please note this does not include properties that have residential leases with a lease term of 31 days or longer. Please review prohibited uses of the property, violations, and penalties. Any questions can be directed to the Code Enforcement Officer, Rena Quale.

Step 1: Obtain a Transaction Privilege Sales Tax (TPT) license from the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR)

A valid TPT license is required for each short-term rental (STR) property in Litchfield Park; your TPT number will be needed to apply for the City of Litchfield Park STR permit in Step 4.

Obtain your TPT license from AZ Department of Revenue

Step 2:  Complete Maricopa County requirements

Each property must be registered with Maricopa County as required by ARS 33-1902 - it is illegal to rent a property before it is registered with the Maricopa County Assessor.  

Register or log in to your Customer Portal here.  If you do not already have an account, you will need to create one to register your rental.

Step 3: Obtain a City Business License

A valid City of Litchfield Park Business License is required for each STR property in Litchfield Park; your city-issued business license number will be needed to apply for the City of Litchfield Park STR permit in Step 4. A separate City Business License is required for each location listed as a Short-Term Rental. The annual fee for this license is $55 (with a one-time $10 processing fee).

Business License    

Step 4:  Apply for a Short-term Rental Permit

Applications can be filed electronically, by mail, or in person. The fee for this permit is $250.

Applications will require license numbers from Step 1 and 3 and are required to be notarized.

There is a notary available at City Hall, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1-4pm for a $5 fee.

Short Term Rental Guide and Permit

Frequently Asked Questions

Step 5:  Notify Neighbors and Provide Proof of Insurance

Within 10 days of receiving a Litchfield Park STR permit (or any time the contact information for a property changes), using a notification form provided by the City, you must notify each single-family residential property adjacent to the vacation rental property, directly across from the vacation rental property, and diagonally across the street of the vacation rental property.

Neighbor Notification Form

Every short-term/vacation rental property must be insured with liability coverage of at least $500,000 (either directly or through an online lodging marketplace), and proof of such must be provided to the City. Proof of insurance can be emailed to Code Enforcement

Step 6:  Posting on the Property Required

The owner of the vacation rental must display the name, phone number, and email address of the owner or designee, and an emergency point of contact, in a conspicuous place within 3 feet of the primary entrance of the vacation rental.