Presentation

Town of Wickenburg — Regular Meeting (2026-01-20)

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TOWN OF WICKENBURG
Proposed Short-Term Rental Regulations
Steve Boyle
January 20, 2026

• Senate Bill 1168 Approved in Arizona
• Requires all short-term rentals (STRs) to acquire a permit
• Title 9-500.39: Cities/Towns cannot prohibit STRs, but can regulate
• Council reviewed the model ordinance and proposed process in
September and November during study sessions.
Background
2

• Ordinance aims to preserve neighborhood character and housing stock
• Ensure responsible operation of STR’s in Town
• Balance tourism benefits with community livability
• Compatible with State law
Options
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• STR permitting
• Compliance with zoning, safety & nuisance standards
• Owner/emergency contact disclosure
• Neighbor notification of STR use
o Single Family Dwelling in zoning is defined as a building designed for occupancy by one (1) family.
• Prohibition of illegal/harmful uses
• Suspension of permits & civil penalties for misuse
Key Regulatory Options
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• Annual STR annual registration fee $250 (separate resolution)
• Permit replace business license
• Fines: starting at $500 for non-compliance
• Licensing: valid TPT + local business licenses required
• Insurance coverage required on property
• Regulations regarding individuals with criminal history
• Owners maintain renter background records (1 year)
Proposed Wickenburg Regulations
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• Approx. 80 STR;s in Wickenburg
• Potential revenue: $17,000 annually
• Web base registration system
• Net positive revenue possible plus reduced staff workload
Estimated Local Impact
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• Property identification
• Emergency contact tracking
• Online registration & notifications
• Fee collection & compliance notices
• Compliant management
• Liability insurance verification
Software Benefits
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• Community Development- zoning and permit review, code compliance
• Finance – fee collection, licensing
• Police- enforcement, incident response
Department Roles
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• Allow 30 day cure period
• Begin implementation of internal programming
• Registration to begin on July 1, 2026
• Cross-department collaboration for rollout
• STR regulations = balance of property rights & neighborhood
protection
• Registration ensures accountability
Next Steps
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Questions?
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