By Allison Kotzbauer | Daily Independent (abridged)
Paradise Valley Mayor Mark Stanton presented four resolutions aimed at changing Arizona’s short-term rental laws during the Arizona League of Cities and Towns’ annual conference.
The resolutions would:
- Increase the maximum municipal permit fee for operating a short-term rental from $250 to $500,
- Clarify municipalities’ authority to place liens on properties for unpaid short-term rental penalties or fines,
- Create a process allowing voters in individual municipalities to decide whether additional short-term rental regulations are appropriate, and
- Clarify the definition of short-term rentals as it applies to multifamily buildings and mobile home parks.
All four resolutions were supported and passed by the League’s Resolutions Committee.
With the committee’s approval, the resolutions will move to the league’s executive committee before becoming part of the league’s legislative agenda for the upcoming session.
Stanton said municipalities could then work with state lawmakers to pursue legislation supporting the resolutions.
“Today was a great example for the entire state,” Stanton said. “It’s an issue. It’s an issue for larger municipalities, it’s an issue for Paradise Valley, and we’re really committed to staying in front of it.”
Stanton said the resolutions are ultimately about returning regulatory authority to cities and towns.
“The key to it is going back to local control and giving the ability for a municipality to decide what’s best for its community,” Stanton said.
The resolutions prompted discussion among mayors about whether the proposed changes went far enough.
Bullhead City Vice Mayor Dan Alfonzo questioned why the proposed permit-fee increase was limited to $250, saying the additional revenue would not cover the costs associated with short-term rental enforcement, trash and cleanup.
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky responded, “We would go with any dollar amount that would pass through the Legislature.”
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