By Melissa Rosequist | Daily Independent
The Town of Paradise Valley has amended its short-term rental ordinances to better align with state law following an Arizona Attorney General’s Investigation earlier this year.
The changes mostly decrease specific language that was very detailed — such as requirements for property owners to meet renters in person and keeping tabs on how large of parties were renting units.
On April 28, the Paradise Valley Town Council unanimously approved amending certain provisions of Town Code chapter 10 in response to the AGO’s investigative report.
By doing so, the attorney general will not report the town to the state treasurer for violating state law, which could have kept state-shared funds from coming to the town.
The issue dates to the start of 2022, when the Town Council passed ordinance 2022-03, implementing a number of regulations to address nuisances, unruly gatherings, noncompliant short-term rentals and the general public’s peace, health, safety and welfare.
One month later, state Sen. Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, filed an investigation request with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, known as a senate bill “1487 investigation.” While Petersen alleged the whole ordinance failed as a matter of state law, Attorney General Mark Brnovich found only specific pieces violated the law.
Brnovich said in his report “most of the ordinance does not violate state law,” but that “a few” specific provisions did.
According to a staff report apart of the April 28 Town Council meeting, Town Attorney Andrew McGuire consulted with the AGO regarding the proposed amendments. Pursuant to these consultations, town staff prepared a new ordinance, 2022-04, which the AGO confirmed addressed the issues raised in the initial report.
“This ordinance, the text of it has been shared with the AG’s office and has been signed off,” McGuire told the Town Council on April 28. “This is the next step to bring to a close that 1487 complaint so the AG’s office not have to report to the state treasurer’s office. Upon passage we’ll get it executed and over to the Attorney General’s office as evidence of compliance with our agreement.”
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