1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong support for House Bill 2429, introduced by Representative Bliss, which provides Arizona municipalities with essential tools to regulate vacation rentals while preserving property rights. This legislation strikes the right balance. It maintains that cities and counties cannot prohibit short-term rentals outright, protecting property owners' ability to use their homes as they see fit. At the same time, it empowers local governments to address legitimate community concerns that have emerged as this industry has grown. The bill's most significant improvement is allowing municipalities to limit the total number of vacation rentals through permit caps or minimum distance requirements. This provision gives communities control over their residential character without imposing blanket bans. The grandfathering clause protects existing operators in good standing, ensuring fairness while allowing neighborhoods to stabilize. The revised violation thresholds are more reasonable and enforceable. Changing the suspension trigger from three violations in 12 months to two violations in 24 months for serious public health and safety threats gives operators more time to correct issues while still protecting neighbors. The addition of a three-violation threshold for solid waste and parking violations addresses the most common neighborhood complaints without being overly punitive. The liability insurance requirement of at least $500,000 protects both guests and neighboring properties from potential damages. The maximum permit fee of $250 or actual cost keeps regulatory costs reasonable while allowing municipalities to cover administrative expenses. The requirement for emergency contact information with civil penalties up to $1,000 for non-compliance ensures accountability when problems arise. This bill recognizes that short-term rentals are here to stay while giving communities the regulatory framework they need. It allows local governments closest to these issues to craft solutions that work for their residents. I urge you to support HB 2429 and give Arizona communities the tools they need to manage short-term rentals effectively.