State Legislators and City of Scottsdale Get Tougher on Short-Term Rentals

SB1168 Passage Press Release

Short-term Rentals

On July 6th Governor Ducey signed SB1168 Vacation Rentals; Short-term Rentals; Enforcement, sponsored by Senator J.D. Mesnard.

David Ortega, Mayor of Scottsdale said today, “Scottsdale is renowned for our family-friendly neighborhoods, which have been negatively impacted by short-term rentals. Passage of SB1168 allows the City of Scottsdale to regain local control. Our City Council is prepared to enact more stringent laws to assure our neighborhoods are safe and tranquil, the day SB1168 becomes law.”

The bill contains provisions that allow cities to have a local licensing process for short-term rentals. An operator of a shortterm rental would have to successfully apply to operate in the city. There are fines associated with violations of local or state law, and if there were three verified violations (adjudicated in court) within a 12-month period the license to operate could be suspended for up to 12 months.

There are also provisions for neighbor notification, application procedures and contact information requirements.

Mr. Dale Wiebusch, Government Relations Director said, “We would like to thank Representative Kaiser, and the Scottsdale legislators who voted for the bill.”

The bill had bipartisan support and required countless hours of negotiation between the cities and the short-term rental industry. We are grateful to all involved, and to Governor Ducey for signing the bill.

The City of Scottsdale was instrumental in getting state law changed to strengthen local authority in the short-term rental industry. SB1168 fulfills a major priority of the Scottsdale City Council’s 2022 State Legislative Agenda.

Governor Ducey signed SB1168 on July 6th, and Scottsdale is working with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns in drafting a model ordinance to help municipalities enact the local license and permit provisions contained in the bill.

The state law goes into effect Sept. 24, 2022, and staff will bring an ordinance to the Scottsdale City Council in a timely manner so that Scottsdale can receive the additional protections allowed under the new state law.

For more information regarding short-term rentals, how to report an unregistered property, and review FAQs, please visit www.scottsdaleaz. gov/codes/vacation-short-term-rentals.

Keeping Your Community Safe

By Brian Hartman, #866 Scottsdale Police Department Crime Prevention Officer, Via Linda District

While we do reside in one of the safest cities in the country, we cannot take it for granted that we are immune to the types of crimes that are prevalent in other areas. One of the main goals of the Scottsdale Police Department is to partner with the residents in order to ensure that the community continues to be one of the safest in the nation. How do we do that, you ask? Here are a few ideas:

1. GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS This is a great way in which to keep your neighborhood safe. You and your neighbors know what is normal in your neighborhood. The more eyes that you have looking after your family and property, the better.

2. KEEP YOUR GARAGE DOOR CLOSED Criminals are always looking for opportunities in which to gain quick and easy access to valuables. Leaving your garage door open provides that opportunity for them.

3. SHOW PRIDE IN OWNDERSHIP OF YOUR PROPERTY Criminals notice a residence that is in disrepair and not maintained. Make sure to keep your property in good order and appropriately landscaped. This will show any potential criminal that you are actively involved and take pride in your property.

4. LOCK YOUR VEHICLE This seems so simple but this act is probably the biggest deterrent to theft. Criminals often simply walk down a street or through a parking lot checking for unlocked doors. They often admit that they chose to steal from a particular vehicle due to the fact that it was unlocked. Also, do not leave the garage door opener nor your vehicle Key FOB inside your vehicle.

5. KEEP VALUABLES HIDDEN OUT OF SIGHT This is another crime of opportunity for criminals. You never want to let strangers have knowledge or access to the amount nor location of your valuables.

6. KEEP EXTERIOR OF YOUR RESIDENCE WELL-LIT Criminals prefer to commit their crimes in dark or dimly lit areas. Keeping your entryway and yard properly lit goes a long way to deterring burglaries. You might want to look into motion-activated lights as well. This will not only alert you to a presence on your property but also can serve to startle and scare off the potential burglar.