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Clifton, AZ

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STR Regulations for Clifton, Arizona

Overview: Short-Term Rental Status in Clifton, AZ

Short-term rentals are allowed in Clifton, Arizona. However, the town does not appear to have specific short-term rental ordinances or regulations. As of October 2025, Clifton has updated its tax code to increase hotel and transient lodging taxes, indicating that short-term rental businesses are recognized and regulated through general lodging tax classifications rather than through dedicated STR ordinances.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Clifton?

Clifton hosts earn a median $17,028/year with $108 ADR and 54% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $20,510+ per year.

See the full Clifton market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Clifton, AZ

Starting a short-term rental business in Clifton requires several foundational steps:

1. Business Structure and Planning

  • Establish your business entity (LLC, corporation, etc.)
  • Develop a comprehensive business plan
  • Secure adequate financing and insurance coverage
  • Research local market demand and competition

2. Property Acquisition and Preparation

  • Acquire or lease a suitable property for short-term rental use
  • Ensure the property meets local building codes (Clifton uses 2009 IBC)
  • Obtain any necessary building permits for modifications or improvements
  • Equip and furnish the property according to market expectations

3. Regulatory Compliance

  • Obtain a local business license from the Town of Clifton
  • Register for state tax accounts
  • Comply with Arizona's general lodging and hospitality regulations

4. Operational Setup

  • Choose and integrate with short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)
  • Establish cleaning and maintenance protocols
  • Create guest communication systems
  • Develop pricing strategies

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Local Requirements

Business License

  • Requirement: All businesses operating in Clifton must obtain a local business license
  • How to Apply: Applications available through the Town of Clifton website (cliftonaz.com)
  • Related Regulations: Business license regulations may be found by searching for the Clifton Town Code on the town's website
  • Contact: Town Hall at (928) 865-4146

Building Permits (if applicable)

  • Code Base: 2009 Version of the International Building Codes (IBC)
  • When Required: Major renovations, structural changes, or new construction
  • Application Process: Through the MYGOV portal
  • Contact: Building Inspector/Code Officer Angel Maldonado at (928) 322-7913 or Maldonado@townofclifton.com

State-Level Requirements

Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT)

  • Hotel/Lodging Tax: Clifton charges 5% for hotel/lodging businesses
  • Additional Hotel Tax: Additional 5% transient lodging tax
  • Use Tax: 3% local use tax
  • Registration: Required with Arizona Department of Revenue
  • Filing: Regular TPT returns must be filed even if no tax is due
  • Business Codes:
    • Hotels: 044 (5% rate)
    • Hotel/Motel Additional Tax: 144 (5% rate)
    • Use Tax Purchases: 029 (3% rate)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations

Clifton Town Code: The Clifton Town Code is available online, though specific short-term rental ordinances were not found in the provided content. Investors should consult the complete town code for any applicable regulations.

County-Level Regulations

Greenlee County: No specific short-term rental regulations were identified in the provided content for Greenlee County, which governs Clifton.

State-Level Regulations

Arizona's regulations for short-term rentals fall under general hospitality and lodging laws:

Transient Lodging Classification

  • Short-term rentals are typically classified as transient lodging or hotel/motel operations
  • Must comply with Arizona's hotel and lodging regulations
  • Required to collect and remit applicable transaction privilege taxes

Health and Safety Requirements

  • Must comply with Arizona's landlord-tenant laws and health regulations
  • Properties must meet habitability standards
  • Fire safety and building code compliance required

Consumer Protection

  • Must comply with Arizona's consumer protection laws
  • Accurate advertising and listing requirements
  • Guest privacy and data protection obligations

Contact Information

Town of Clifton Authorities

Town Hall/Municipal Offices

  • Address: 510 N. Coronado Blvd., Clifton, AZ 85533
  • Phone: (928) 865-4146
  • Email: hello@townofclifton.com
  • Website: cliftonaz.com
  • Hours: Monday through Thursday 7 am – 5 pm

Business Licensing

  • Contact: Town Clerk
  • Phone: (928) 865-4146
  • Online: Business license applications available at cliftonaz.com

Building/Code Enforcement

  • Contact: Angel Maldonado, Building Inspector/Code Officer
  • Phone: (928) 322-7913
  • Email: Maldonado@townofclifton.com
  • Hours: Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Code Enforcement

Fire Department

State-Level Authorities

Arizona Department of Revenue

  • Website: azdor.gov
  • TPT Section: Business transaction privilege tax information and filing
  • Phone: General contact information available on their website

Source Pages

Local Government Sources

  • Town of Clifton FAQs - General municipal information, business licensing, building permits
  • Clifton Town Code - Official municipal code (specific STR ordinances not found in provided content)

State Tax Information

Legal Resources

Important Notes for Investors

  1. Limited Local Regulation: Unlike larger Arizona cities, Clifton does not appear to have specific short-term rental ordinances, operating more under general hospitality and lodging classifications.

  2. Tax Implications: The recent 2025 tax code changes significantly impact lodging businesses in Clifton, with total effective rates potentially reaching 10% for hotel operations (5% base + 5% additional).

  3. Building Compliance: Any property modifications or new construction must comply with the 2009 International Building Codes as adopted by Clifton.

  4. Market Considerations: As a small community, Clifton's short-term rental market may have unique characteristics compared to larger Arizona destinations.

  5. Regulatory Monitoring: Given the lack of specific STR ordinances, investors should monitor for future regulatory changes at both the municipal and state levels.

This guide provides the current regulatory framework based on available information. Investors should verify all requirements with local authorities and consider consulting with local legal counsel familiar with Arizona hospitality and lodging regulations.

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Clifton

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
5/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Clifton Market Analysis

Photos of Clifton

Overview of Clifton

Nestled in the southeastern corner of Arizona in Greenlee County, Clifton is a small, characterful town of roughly 3,000 residents that sits along the banks of the San Francisco River. With its preserved Victorian-era architecture, dramatic cliffside setting, and copper-mining heritage, the town has the feel of a place that time has largely passed by, in the best possible way. Clifton serves as a gateway to the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway and to the surrounding high-desert and mountain landscapes of eastern Arizona, and it lies approximately 200 miles east of Phoenix and roughly 175 miles northeast of Tucson, with the larger town of Safford about 40 miles to the north.

The most dominant feature of the area, both visually and economically, is the Morenci Mine, one of the largest open-pit copper operations in North America. While the active mine itself is not open to casual visitors, its sheer scale is visible from viewpoints along the highway and from the town itself, and it forms an inescapable part of Clifton's identity and landscape. The drive to the mine overlook from downtown Clifton is only a few minutes, and many travelers stop here to appreciate the unusual juxtaposition of a historic riverfront community with an enormous industrial operation set against the surrounding mountains.

Just outside of town, the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area offers a striking contrast to the mine, with the San Francisco River and Bonita Creek cutting deep, lush canyons through otherwise arid country. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the area is known for hiking, wildlife watching, and paddling, and several access points lie within a short drive of Clifton. The Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area is a popular destination for visitors seeking a quieter alternative to Arizona's better-known national parks.

The Coronado Trail Scenic Byway, also designated as U.S. Route 191, begins near Clifton and winds northward through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests toward Eagar and Springerville. Often called one of the most scenic drives in the Southwest, the byway climbs through steep mountain terrain and offers overlooks, trailheads, and small high-country communities along the way. Travelers using Clifton as a base can experience a substantial portion of the Coronado Trail without committing to the full drive.

Clifton's compact size, its location at the foot of the Coronado Trail, and its proximity to both the Gila Box and the working landscape of southeastern Arizona make it a genuinely distinctive base for a short-term rental. Visitors who stay here tend to be travelers looking for solitude, scenery, and a sense of stepping off the well-worn tourist trail rather than big-city amenities, and the town offers exactly that kind of authentic, slow-paced southwestern experience.

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