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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Flagstaff, AZ

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

STRs are allowed in legally permitted dwellings including single-family homes, 1-4 unit houses, condos, and ADUs. Owners must maintain a valid Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license, remit sales and transient occupancy taxes, provide a 24-hour emergency contact, and complete annual written neighbor notifications to adjacent properties.

How to Obtain a Permit

1) Obtain an Arizona TPT license from the Department of Revenue. 2) Submit an online application via the City's STR portal, including proof of TPT, emergency contact, and attestation of neighbor notification. 3) Pay the $185 annual license fee after the City's 7-day review to receive the license via email.

Regulatory Updates — Flagstaff

Proposed and recent legislation

PassedSeptember 2024

Annual Neighbor Notification Requirement Enforced

Flagstaff actively enforces its annual written neighbor notification requirement, requiring operators to document delivery of notifications to all adjacent properties within 30 days of permit issuance or renewal.

PassedMay 2024

TPT License Compliance Verification Added to Permit Process

Flagstaff added a verification step to its STR permit process requiring proof of a current Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license and transient lodging classification before permits are issued or renewed.

PassedJanuary 2024

24-Hour Emergency Contact Response Standard Clarified

Flagstaff clarified that the 24-hour emergency contact must be able to respond to the property within two hours, not merely be reachable by phone, following community complaints about unresponsive out-of-state operators.

Official Resources

Official Flagstaff STR regulation source

Local Resources & Advocacy

Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA)National

National trade association providing advocacy and compliance resources for vacation rental professionals in Arizona markets including Flagstaff.

Arizona Association of RealtorsStatewide

Statewide real estate association monitoring Flagstaff STR regulations and supporting Arizona's ARS 9-500.39 preemption framework that prevents local STR bans.

Flagstaff Convention & Visitors BureauLocal

Local destination marketing organization monitoring STR accommodation supply and its role in Flagstaff's outdoor recreation and university visitor economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Flagstaff, AZ?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Flagstaff, AZ, but with restrictions. STRs are allowed in legally permitted dwellings including single-family homes, 1-4 unit houses, condos, and ADUs. Owners must maintain a valid Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license, remit sales and transient occupancy taxes, provide a 24-hour emergency contact, and complete annual written neighbor notifications to adjacent properties. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Flagstaff, AZ?
STRs are allowed in legally permitted dwellings including single-family homes, 1-4 unit houses, condos, and ADUs. Owners must maintain a valid Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license, remit sales and transient occupancy taxes, provide a 24-hour emergency contact, and complete annual written neighbor notifications to adjacent properties.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Flagstaff?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Flagstaff. 1) Obtain an Arizona TPT license from the Department of Revenue. 2) Submit an online application via the City's STR portal, including proof of TPT, emergency contact, and attestation of neighbor notification. 3) Pay the $185 annual license fee after the City's 7-day review to receive the license via email.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Flagstaff?
1) Obtain an Arizona TPT license from the Department of Revenue. 2) Submit an online application via the City's STR portal, including proof of TPT, emergency contact, and attestation of neighbor notification. 3) Pay the $185 annual license fee after the City's 7-day review to receive the license via email.
Is Vrbo legal in Flagstaff, AZ?
Vrbo is permitted in Flagstaff, AZ under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Flagstaff?
Short-term rental hosts in Flagstaff are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Flagstaff?
The most recent tracked change in Flagstaff is "Annual Neighbor Notification Requirement Enforced" (2024-09-01, status: passed). Flagstaff actively enforces its annual written neighbor notification requirement, requiring operators to document delivery of notifications to all adjacent properties within 30 days of permit issuance or renewal. See the regulatory updates section on this page for the full history.
Can Flagstaff ban short-term rentals?
No. Arizona's ARS 9-500.39 prevents cities and towns from prohibiting STRs outright. Flagstaff can regulate noise, nuisance, safety, and tax compliance — and require annual neighbor notifications — but cannot ban STRs based on type or zone.
What does the annual neighbor notification requirement mean in practice?
Each year within 30 days of your permit issuance or renewal, you must deliver written notice of your STR operation to all adjacent property owners. You must document delivery (e.g., certified mail or signed receipt). Failure to notify is a compliance violation and can affect permit renewal.
What taxes are required for Flagstaff STRs?
You must hold a current Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license with a transient lodging classification and remit TPT plus any applicable Flagstaff city taxes on all STR stays. Flagstaff now verifies TPT license status at permit issuance and renewal.
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Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction