Show Low amends short-term rental code to require exterior posting and sets minimum size, council cites state limits
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Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 2025-04 amending Show Low City Code chapter 16.55 to require short-term rental emergency contact posting on the exterior of the property and adopted Resolution R2025-35 to declare the revision a public record; a resident urged larger signage and broader violation language.
The Show Low City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-04, amending Chapter 16.55 of the Show Low City Code to require that short-term rental owners post contact information in a conspicuous place outside the rental and to specify minimum posting size and font. The council also adopted Resolution R2025-35 to declare the ordinance revisions a public record.
City Attorney staff told the council the 2024 ordinance implementing short-term rental regulations already required operators to post the owner or designee’s name, phone number and email and an emergency contact in a "conspicuous place," but staff received reports that some operators were placing the posting inside the home. To make enforcement clearer, staff proposed amending Section 16.550.070 to explicitly require the posting on the outside of the property and to specify minimum size and font.
During the public hearing, resident Mike Clement of 5041 South 30 Second Street told the council he lives three doors from an Airbnb and described repeated disturbances, including three fires and multiple noise complaints. "I live three doors down from an Airbnb. It is a constant source of heartburn," Clement said. He provided the city attorney with redlined proposed language and asked that the required sign be permanently affixed to the front door on the outside of the home in a larger size so first responders can see permit number, expiration date and emergency contact information.
Clement also urged that the ordinance’s penalty language be broadened so that "any combination of three verified violations" within 12 months — whether against the property owner, the short-term rental tenant, or guests — could be grounds for discipline or revocation of a permit. City staff said they would review that suggested language.
City Attorney staff advised the council that state law limits municipal regulation of short-term rentals. Specifically, Arizona Revised Statutes 9-500.39 constrains what cities and towns may regulate regarding short-term rentals; the city attorney said recent legislative efforts to expand local authority had not gained traction. "If [the legislature] does, we just do this again," the mayor said in response to a council question about future changes.
Councilmembers asked whether the minimum sign size set by staff represented a floor or a ceiling; staff said it was a minimum and that postings could be larger in problematic cases. After public comment and council questions, a council member moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-04 and Resolution R2025-35; another council member seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
What the ordinance changes - Ordinance: 2025-04, amends City Code Chapter 16.55, Section 16.550.070 (posting on property required). - Resolution: R2025-35, declaring the revisions a public record. - Requirement clarified: required posting must be on the outside of the short-term rental, with a minimum size and font specified in the ordinance language as presented.
Council directed staff to take Clement’s materials to the clerk and to review ordinance verbiage and enforcement details. The council and staff noted the limits imposed by state statute on local authority to regulate short-term rentals.
