Short-term rental properties keep Scottsdale police busy

Scottsdale city officials are ramping up interdepartmental enforcement, owner outreach and public education to crack down on problem short-term rentals and preserve neighborhood quality of life.

The multi-agency effort brings together the City Manager’s Office, Scottsdale Police Department, City Attorney’s Office, Code Enforcement, Planning, Solid Waste, Tax & Licensing and Water departments.

The strategy focuses on four primary areas: targeted enforcement, public education and reporting awareness, owner and stakeholder engagement, and accountability tools like enhanced technology.

Between January and August, Scottsdale police responded to 665 calls for service at short-term rental properties. During the summer months from June through August, officers handled 238 calls at vacation rentals, with 28% tied to nuisance issues. In August alone, 20 of the city’s 96 total nuisance calls across Scottsdale occurred at short-term rental properties.

Police enforcement at these locations has remained steady. Since the start of the year, officers have filed 460 charges at short-term rentals, including 359 related to non-compliance.

Non-compliance charges jumped 46% from June through August compared to the previous three-month period. However, total short-term rental calls for service dropped 23% from July to August.

“Our goal is straightforward: protect Scottsdale neighborhoods, hold problem properties accountable and make sure residents know their concerns are being addressed,” Police Chief Joe LeDuc said in a statement. “Most short-term rentals operate without significant problems, but when a property creates repeated public safety or quality-of-life concerns, we will respond and use the tools available to us.”

Police responses in August underscored some of the safety challenges linked to trouble properties. In one instance, officers pulled over a vehicle leaving a short-term rental following reports of individuals displaying firearms. Officers recovered two rifles and two automatic handguns, arresting four occupants on weapons-related charges. Officers also responded to an overdose call and a pool-barrier violation at other rental properties during the month.

Beyond policing, the city is engaging directly with rental platforms, property owners and state lawmakers. Recent efforts include working alongside Airbnb representatives and backing state legislative proposals that would grant cities more authority to regulate short-term rentals. Measures under discussion include higher licensing fees, clearer definitions and updated rules regarding property liens.

Activity around licensing remains high across the city. In August, Scottsdale received 90 new short-term rental applications, processed 87 renewals and issued 199 licenses. The city currently counts 2,966 active short-term rental licenses and collected $9,000 in penalty fines during August.

City Manager Greg Caton noted the city will maintain its collaborative approach across municipal departments and state leadership to strengthen property accountability while respecting the rights of both owners and local residents.

Residents looking to report licensing or compliance concerns can email STR@ScottsdaleAZ.gov.

For issues requiring immediate police response, the Scottsdale Police Department non-emergency line is available at 480-312-5000. Additional details on city rental regulations can be found at ScottsdaleAZ.gov by searching “short term rentals.”

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