Lake Havasu, Arizona Short Term Rental Regulations

Navigate short-term rental regulations with ease! From coastal retreats to urban hubs, our in-depth guides break down the essentials for cities across the nation. Stay informed of changes to local Airbnb rules with our up-to-date insights and best practices.

Share:

Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Lake Havasu Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

City Code of Ordinances

Lake Havasu defined short-term or vacation rentals as any form of paid housing for fewer than 30 days. A short-term vacation rental qualifies as a hotel for tax reasons. The Lake Havasu City Tax Code defines a hotel as any public or private hotel, inn, hostelry, tourist home, house, motel, rooming house, apartment house, trailer, or other lodging places within the City giving lodging to transients for compensation.

Business License Requirements

You must register your property with the State of Arizona Department of Revenue by applying a Residential Rental TPT before renting it out for less than thirty (30) days. After receiving a Residential Rental TPT number, you must provide the City with the details of the owner of the vacation rental and the Residential Rental TPT number and designate a local 24-hour contact person. You must complete and submit the Lake Havasu City Vacation Rental Form to the Lake Havasu City Business License Department to provide this information.

Building and Housing Standards

Lake Havasu has rules and regulations that follow the Operational Requirements and Standard Conditions. Some of these mention that the owner ensures that the vacation rental complies with all necessary fire, building, health, and safety codes and other laws. Please refer to Operational Requirements and Standard Conditions for more information.

Tourist and Local Taxes

According to ARS 42-5042, the owner must keep a current transaction privilege tax license from the Arizona Department of Revenue and list the transaction privilege tax license number on all advertisements for vacation rentals that they manage, including postings on online lodging marketplaces. Please refer to TPT Brochure - Hotels & Vacation Rentals.

Other Rules

It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit Lake Havasu Vacation Rentals for more information.
Improve this Page

Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.

  • Short Term City Rating
    6.5
  • Competition

    4.7
  • Real Estate Cost

    6.3
  • STR Regulations

    8.0
  • Seasonality

    7.5
  • Rental Rates

    5.9

Lake Havasu, Arizona Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
57,144
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
County
Mohave
Airports
Ernest A. Love Field (PRC)
McCarran International Airport (LAS)
Review our Lake Havasu Arizona short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Lake Havasu?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Lake Havasu rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Lake Havasu rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Lake Havasu.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Lake Havasu Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Lake Havasu guests.

Interested in other Arizona cities?

Check out the Arizona short term rental regulations directory 

What makes Lake Havasu a great place to invest?

  • London Bridge: This historic gem, originally built in the 1830s in London, was carefully disassembled and transported to Lake Havasu in 1968. Today, you can walk across this iconic bridge, marveling at its remarkable journey and enjoying the stunning views of the sparkling lake.
  • Lake Havasu State Park: This 1,100-acre park offers sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and an abundance of recreational activities. Hike the scenic trails, set up camp under the stars, or launch your boat for a day of fishing and water sports in this picturesque paradise.
  • Outdoor Adventures: Lake Havasu's dramatic desert landscape is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Mountain bike through miles of scenic trails, hit the links at the top-rated golf courses, or explore the rugged terrain on an off-road adventure tour.
  • Havasu National Wildlife Refuge: This 37,515-acre refuge along the Colorado River is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Birdwatchers can spot over 300 species, including the elusive Yuma clapper rail, while kayakers can paddle through the serene Topock Gorge.
  • Collegiate Energy: Lake Havasu City is home to the vibrant Arizona State University at Lake Havasu campus. The university hosts numerous events, adding a lively and youthful energy to this desert oasis.
  • Annual Events: Lake Havasu City is known for hosting exciting events throughout the year. From the action-packed International Jet Ski World Finals to the colorful Lake Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair, there's always something fun happening in this dynamic destination.

Lake Havasu Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Lake Havasu?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Lake Havasu has decreased -7% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $300, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$462,065

-7% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$300

-5% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,663

0% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Lake Havasu, Arizona

Word Cloud for Lake Havasu, Arizona Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Lake Havasu short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Lake Havasu has a description approximately 1,444 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 2,280 listings in Lake Havasu, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Pool, Lake Havasu, Garage, Boat, Outdoor, Lake, London Bridge, Patio, Backyard, and Vacation.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Lake Havasu?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Lake Havasu involve Boating, Hiking, Swimming, Jet Skiing, and Water Skiing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Boating

Hiking

Swimming

Jet Skiing

Water Skiing

Adventure Activities

Marina

Water Sports

Water Tubing

Casinos

Paddle Boating

Kayaking

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Lake Havasu, including Lake Havasu, London Bridge, Windsor Beach, Lake Havasu State Park, . Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Regional Landmark

Lake Havasu

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

London Bridge

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Windsor Beach

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Lake Havasu State Park

Included on nearly all listings

What’s the weather like in Lake Havasu, Arizona?

The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 88°, while the average low is about 64°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 6 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Lake Havasu are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

47° Low 68° High

Precipitation
2.2"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
35%

Spring

March through May

62° Low 87° High

Precipitation
0.8"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
26%

Summer

June through August

83° Low 107° High

Precipitation
1.2"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
8.6 days
Cloudiness
18%

Fall

September through November

64° Low 88° High

Precipitation
1.3"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
2.3 days
Cloudiness
20%