Tucson, Arizona Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave

Last updated August 23, 2023

Tucson 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

Arizona has very friendly vacation rental laws thanks to statute 9-500.39, which says that a city or town may not prohibit vacation or short-term rentals. There are still other restrictions and limitations that must be followed on a city basis. You can read the full statute here. Most land uses in Tucson are currently governed by the Tucson Zoning Code. To check if your listing complies with zoning regulations or use definitions, consult the Tucson Zoning Code.

Business License Requirements

The City of Tucson does require business licenses for businesses operating in Tucson. Review the Apply page for information on obtaining a new business license.

Building and Housing Standards

Tucson has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Please refer to the City’s building codes here

Tourist and Local Taxes

Tucson assesses an occupational license tax on the rent charged to transients for stays of 30 days or less. Tax licenses for all cities and towns in Arizona are administered by the Arizona Department of Revenue (AZDOR). Learn more at the AZDOR web page.

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 the City of Tucson for more information. 
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  • Short Term City Rating
    5.7
  • Competition

    3.6
  • Real Estate Cost

    7.3
  • STR Regulations

    8.0
  • Seasonality

    4.8
  • Rental Rates

    4.5

Tucson, 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
542,629
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
November to March
County
Pima
Airports
Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Review our Tucson Arizona short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Tucson?

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 Tucson rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Tucson rental market.

City Activities

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

City Attractions

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

Tucson 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 Tucson guests.

Interested in other Arizona cities?

Check out the Arizona Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Tucson a great place to invest?

The city of Tucson is located in southern Arizona and has a population of around 520,000. It is known for its beautiful desert landscape, an abundance of natural attractions, and vibrant culture. 
  • The University of Arizona is one of Tucson's most popular tourist destinations. It's home to an impressive range of historical buildings and world-renowned research facilities. The campus is also home to extensive gardens and landscaping, making it a beautiful place to explore.
  • The Tucson Museum of Art is another great attraction in town. It has a vast and varied collection of artworks from around the world, both ancient and contemporary. There's also a children's museum on site, making it an excellent place for families to visit together.
  • Pasco Sonoran National Forest - This forest is home to a number of attractions, including Mount Lemmon Ski Resort and Saguaro National Park. Both parks offer amazing landscapes that are sure to please nature lovers.
  • Tucson is also home to several excellent sporting venues. The University of Arizona Wildcats (football) is a perennial powerhouse in the NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision). At the same time, the Tucson Roadrunners (Ice Hockey) make regular appearances in the AHL playoffs. 
The weather in Tucson can be hot and dry in the summer months, but it can also be quite cold in winter. The best time to visit Tucson is during the spring and fall when temperatures are milder.

Tucson Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Tucson?

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 Tucson has decreased -3% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $234, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$383,823

-3% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$234

-2% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,563

5% YoY

Property Descriptions

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

Word Cloud for Tucson, Arizona Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Tucson 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 Tucson has a description approximately 1,470 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 5,172 listings in Tucson, 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 Tucson, Pool, Patio, Outdoor, Yard, Arizona, University, Quiet, Backyard, and Casita.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Tucson?

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 Tucson involve Hiking, Adventure Activities, Cycling, Museums, and Mountain Biking. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Hiking

Adventure Activities

Cycling

Museums

Mountain Biking

Zoo

Swimming

Health Spa

Horseback Riding

Wildlife Viewing

Mountain Climbing

Outlet Shopping

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Tucson, including University of Arizona, Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mall, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and Tucson Convention Center. 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.

Well Known Attraction

Saguaro National Park

Included on nearly all listings

Well Known Attraction

University of Arizona

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Tucson Mall

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Tucson Botanical Gardens

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Reid Park Zoo

Included on 92% of listings

Regional Landmark

Tucson Convention Center

Included on 91% of listings

Regional Landmark

Kino Sports Complex

Included on 87% of listings

Regional Landmark

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

Included on 86% of listings

Local Landmark

Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club

Included on 84% of listings

Regional Landmark

Sabino Canyon

Included on 81% of listings

Regional Landmark

Pima Air and Space Museum

Included on 74% of listings

Regional Landmark

Park Place Mall

Included on 67% of listings

What’s the weather like in Tucson, Arizona?

The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 84°, while the average low is about 58°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 11 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 Tucson 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

43° Low 67° High

Precipitation
3.0"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
35%

Spring

March through May

56° Low 84° High

Precipitation
1.1"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
25%

Summer

June through August

75° Low 99° High

Precipitation
4.3"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
11.0 days
Cloudiness
31%

Fall

September through November

60° Low 84° High

Precipitation
2.5"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
2.3 days
Cloudiness
23%