Scottsdale unanimously approves new ordinance targeting short-term rental party houses

The Scottsdale City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to define “event center” in city code, closing a loophole that had made it harder to punish short-term rental operators who turn homes into commercial party venues.

Both Arizona law and Scottsdale city code already bar short-term rentals from being used as event centers. The problem was that neither defined the term, leaving police and code enforcement without a clear standard when responding to complaints.

“If the council passes this ordinance, there will be a definition and it will make it easier for our police and code enforcement personnel to enforce,” City Attorney Luis Santaella explained before the vote.

The new ordinance fills that gap by spelling out what an event center is: any organized gathering tied to a commercial purpose, including weddings, corporate events and promoter-driven parties.

The new rule exempts ordinary residential gatherings, such as a family hosting relatives for a birthday or holiday dinner.

A violent May in Scottsdale made the board act

Scottsdale police responded to 48 nuisance calls at short-term rental properties and issued 56 charges and citations throughout May, including violations tied to a shooting at a rental party in the Maya complex that led to arrests on aggravated assault and weapons charges.

“Short-term rentals have destroyed many of our neighborhoods and our streets,” Councilmember Barry Graham said during the meeting.

Arizona law limits what cities can do to regulate vacation rentals. Councilmember Solange Whitehead credited Santaella with writing the updated rules. Whitehead called the new rule the strictest ordinance in the state.

“One of these neighbors called me up crying,” Whitehead told the council. “She finally feels hopeful.”

While Graham voted for the stricter rules, he wants to see more done.

“I wish you could take the hammer and drop it farther,” he said.

The ordinance takes effect on July 23.

Related

Phoenix City Council passes long-awaited short-term rental restrictionsShort-term rental advocates tout impact on Arizona economyHarkins adds late-night showings of ‘The Odyssey’ in Arizona’s only IMAX 70mm theaterPop-punk band All Time Low to perform at Arizona State FairJudge in case brought by Arizona, 11 other states temporarily blocks Paramount-Warner mergerHomicide suspect who was injured during arrest in Mesa has been booked into jail