Tempe, Arizona Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Tempe 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
The State of Arizona regulates short-term (vacation) rentals. A city ordinance in Tempe mandates that owners of residences utilized for short-term rentals should be registered with the city.Business License Requirements
In accordance with city code and State statute, all properties used for short-term and vacation rentals must be registered in the City of Tempe. Registration is free. Visit Short-term Rental or Vacation Rental Registration to register.Building and Housing Standards
Every vacation and short-term rental property must post in a prominent and visible location. Non-Residential Use is prohibited, such as:- No commercial, industrial, or manufacturing
- No retail, restaurant, event center, or banquet center
- No housing sex offenders
- No operation of sober-living home or group home
- No selling liquor, controlled substances, or pornography
- No operation of an adult-oriented business
Tourist and Local Taxes
Even if all Transaction Privilege Taxes (TPT) are reported through the online lodging marketplace, all short-term and vacation rental properties must still have a TPT license. Refer to Arizona Tax Matrix for Hotel/Motel Lodging Industry for more information.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as city requirements, leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Visit Tempe Short-Term Rental for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.4
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Competition
3.0 -
Real Estate Cost
5.9 -
STR Regulations
8.0 -
Seasonality
4.1 -
Rental Rates
5.9
Tempe, 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
- 180,587
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- June through Aug.
- County
- Maricopa
- Airports
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD)
Want to learn more about Tempe?
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 Tempe rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Tempe rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Tempe.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Tempe guests.
Interested in other Arizona cities?
Check out the Arizona short term rental regulations directory
What makes Tempe a great place to invest?
- Tempe, Arizona is a vibrant college town that offers visitors a wide range of activities and attractions. One of the main draws is Arizona State University, which is home to several museums, theaters, and galleries, as well as a variety of sporting events and concerts.
- Tempe is also home to the beautiful Tempe Town Lake, which offers visitors the chance to enjoy a variety of water activities, such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and boating. The lake also features a 2-mile long path for jogging, cycling, and rollerblading.
- For shoppers, Tempe offers a variety of options, including the Mill Avenue District, which features a wide range of shops and restaurants, as well as several festivals and events throughout the year.
- Tempe is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of parks, hiking and biking trails, and golf courses to explore. Papago Park is a must-see, which features the Hole-in-the-Rock, a natural rock formation that offers a great view of the city.
- Foodies will enjoy Tempe for its diverse and delicious food options, from traditional Mexican cuisine to farm-to-table restaurants, there's something for everyone's taste. Additionally, Tempe is known for its thriving craft beer scene, with several breweries and taprooms in the area.
Tempe Nearby Cities
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5 miles away
- Rating: 4.3
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6 miles away
- Rating: 5.8
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Tempe?
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 Tempe has decreased -11% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $327, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$488,999
-11% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$327
-10% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,935
0% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Tempe, Arizona
Common terms for Tempe 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 Tempe has a description approximately 1,916 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 8,887 listings in Tempe, 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, Old Town, Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Backyard, Spring Training, Outdoor, Perfect, Patio, and Come.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Tempe?
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 Tempe involve Hiking, Adventure Activities, Casinos, Museums, and the Zoo. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Hiking
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Adventure Activities
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Casinos
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Museums
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Zoo
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Swimming
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Health Spa
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City Centre
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Outlet Shopping
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Cycling
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Mountain Biking
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Water Parks
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Tempe, including Arizona State University, Camelback Mountain, Chase Field, Phoenix Zoo, and Scottsdale Fashion Square. 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.
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Well Known Attraction
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Arizona State University
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Phoenix Zoo
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Desert Botanical Garden
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Casino Arizona
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Tempe Town Lake
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Arizona Mills Mall
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Arizona Grand Golf Course
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Scottsdale Fashion Square
Included on 89% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Camelback Mountain
Included on 85% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Chase Field
Included on 83% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Arizona Science Center
Included on 83% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Footprint Center
Included on 82% of listings
What’s the weather like in Tempe, Arizona?
The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 86°, while the average low is about 63°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 9 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 Tempe 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
46° Low 68° High
Spring
March through May
61° Low 86° High
Summer
June through August
82° Low 104° High
Fall
September through November
64° Low 87° High
Cities Near Tempe
Tempe, Arizona, is located in Maricopa County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
