Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Goodyear, AZ?
Yes, Short-Term Rentals (STRs) are explicitly allowed in Goodyear, Arizona, as of January 1, 2023. The City implemented a new ordinance (Goodyear Code of Ordinances Chapter 8, Article 8-2) regulating STRs, aligning with state legislation (SB 1168) that restored local regulatory authority. STRs are defined as rentals of residential properties for less than 30 consecutive days, and operation requires compliance with city, county, and state requirements. This guide provides investors with the essential steps, regulations, and resources to operate compliantly.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Goodyear

1. Obtain a State Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License:

   • Mandatory: Apply for an Arizona TPT License through the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR). This license is required to legally collect and remit state transaction privilege (sales) tax on your STR income.
   • Application: Use the "Apply" button on the ADOR TPT page (Source: City Site, 1.1).
   • Validity: TPT Licenses are valid for one year from issuance and must be renewed annually.

2. Apply for a Goodyear Short-Term Rental (STR) License:

   • Mandatory: Obtain a city STR license for each property. This license is required in lieu of a Goodyear Business License as of January 1, 2023.
   • Application: Submit the application via the city's online portal (Source: City Site, Application).
   • Non-Refundable Fee: $250.00 per property (charged per license term, not prorated).
   • Validity: Licenses are managed on a calendar year basis. All licenses expire on December 31st of the year issued and must be renewed for the following calendar year (Source: City Site, Application Requirements).

3. Provide Required Contact Information:

   • Emergency Contact: Provide information for someone who can respond to the STR location within 1 hour in case of an emergency (Source: City Site, Application Requirements).
   • Complaint Contact: Provide contact information for someone who can respond within 24 hours when contacted by the City regarding a complaint (Source: City Site, Application Requirements).

4. Fulfill Listing & Operational Requirements: (See "Regulations" section below for details)

5. Maintain Compliance: Ensure ongoing compliance with all regulations (insurance, background checks, renewal, etc.) and respond promptly to city communications.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

| Requirement | Description | Source | |-----------------|-----------------|------------| | Arizona TPT License | State license to collect/remit transaction privilege tax. Must be renewed annually. | Source: City Site, 1.1 | | Goodyear STR License | City license required to operate an STR (in lieu of a Business License as of 2023). $250 fee, expires Dec 31 annually. | Source: City Site, 1.2 & 2 | | Emergency Contact Information | Details for a contact able to respond onsite within 1 hour. Provided with license application. | Source: City Site, 1.3 | | Complaint Contact Information | Details for a contact able to respond within 24 hours to city inquiries. Provided with license application. | Source: City Site, 1.3 | | Neighbor Notification | Written notice to adjacent single-family properties (and same-floor residents in MF buildings) before first offering the STR for rent. (See "Regulations"). | Source: City Site, 2.2; Ordinance, 8-2-5 | | License Display on Listings | Display the Goodyear STR License number prominently in all advertisements/listings. | Source: City Site, 2.3; Ordinance, 8-2-6 | | Liability Insurance | Maintain liability insurance with an aggregate limit of at least $500,000 OR list the STR through an online marketplace providing equal/greater coverage. | Source: City Site, 2.4; Ordinance, 8-2-7 | | Sex Offender Background Checks | Perform background checks on all STR booking guests OR list through a marketplace performing them. | Source: City Site, 2.5; Ordinance, 8-2-8 | | Goodyear Code of Ordinances Chapter 8, Article 8-2 | The specific local regulations governing STRs in Goodyear. | Source: Goodyear Code |

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Goodyear Regulations (Key Points):

1. STR License Required: Operating an STR without a valid Goodyear STR license is prohibited (Ordinance, 8-2-2).
2. License Renewal: Annual renewal required; licenses expire December 31st (Source: City Site).
3. Neighbor Notification: Before first offering the property for rent as an STR, owners must notify adjacent residential properties (including diagonally across the street) or same-floor residents in MF buildings (Ordinance, 8-2-5).
4. License Number Display: Must display the Goodyear STR License Number prominently in all online and print advertisements/listings (Ordinance, 8-2-6).
5. Liability Insurance: Maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance aggregate OR use a marketplace providing equal/greater coverage (Ordinance, 8-2-7).
6. Sex Offender Background Checks: Must perform checks on all booking guests OR use a marketplace performing them (Ordinance, 8-2-8).
7. Emergency & Complaint Response: Must maintain contacts capable of responding within specified timeframes (Emergency: 1 hour; Complaint: 24 hours) (Source: City Site; Ordinance, 8-2-2).
8. Non-Residential Use Prohibited: STRs cannot be used for events/activities that would otherwise require special permits (e.g., large gatherings, commercial events) (Ordinance, 8-2-4).
9. Compliance with Laws: STRs must comply with all applicable state, county, and local laws (zoning, fire, building, health) (Ordinance, 8-2-3).
10. Violations & Penalties: Violations can result in civil or criminal penalties and suspension or revocation of the STR license (Ordinance, 8-2-2, 8-2-3, 8-2-4, 8-2-5, 8-2-6, 8-2-7, 8-2-8, 8-2-9, 8-2-10). The city also offers a renewal portal (Source: City Site, Renewal) and a portal to update contact information (Source: City Site).

Maricopa County Regulations:
While specific county-level STR regulations weren't detailed in the provided Goodyear sources, Maricopa County requires registration of rental properties with the County Assessor's Office (Source: AZ Desert Vacations). This is a critical step for property owners operating any type of rental, including STRs. Goodyear operates within Maricopa County.

State of Arizona Regulations (Key Points):

1. TPT License: Mandatory for all STR operators to collect/remit state transaction privilege tax (sales tax) on lodging income (Source: City Site; Source: AZ Desert Vacations).
2. Tax Remittance: STR income is subject to the state Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT). Operators must file returns and remit taxes collected, typically through the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) using the TPT license (Source: AZ Desert Vacations).
3. Advertising: State law (implicit in definitions and common practice) generally requires including applicable license numbers in advertisements. Goodyear specifically mandates including the city STR license number (Source: City Site).

Contact Information for Local STR Authority

• City of Goodyear - Finance Department (STR Licensing):
  • Address: 1900 N Civic Square, Goodyear, AZ 85395
  • Phone: 623-882-7887 (Option 4)
  • Email: str@goodyearaz.gov
  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Source: City Site

Important Note: For inquiries about Business Licenses (which are not required for STRs as of 2023), email BL@goodyearaz.gov (Source: City Site).

Links to Source Pages

• City of Goodyear - Short-Term Rentals Main Page (Definitions, Requirements, Contacts, Links): https://www.goodyearaz.gov/government/departments/finance/short-term-rentals-7155
• City of Goodyear - STR License Application Portal: https://goodyearaz-str.deckard.com/apply-str-license
• City of Goodyear - STR License Renewal Portal: https://goodyearaz-str.deckard.com/
• Goodyear Code of Ordinances - Chapter 8, Article 8-2 (Short-Term Rentals): https://goodyear.municipal.codes/Code/8-2
• City of Goodyear - News Article Announcing STR Ordinance: https://www.goodyearaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/12595/1549
• Arizona Department of Revenue - Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) Application: (Accessed via button on Goodyear STR page) https://azdor.gov/transaction-privilege-tax-tpt
• Maricopa County Assessor - Residential Property Registration: (Referenced by AZ Desert Vacations) https://mcassessor.maricopa.gov/forms/residential_property

Investors: This guide consolidates the core regulatory requirements for operating an STR in Goodyear, AZ. Strict adherence to city, county, and state regulations is essential to avoid penalties and ensure successful operation. Always refer to the official city and state sources linked for the most current information and details.