Gilbert, Arizona Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Short-Term Rental Status in Gilbert, AZ

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Gilbert, Arizona. The Gilbert Town Council approved a new Short-Term Rental Ordinance in June 2023 to regulate short-term rentals operating within the Town. Per Arizona State Law (A.R.S. §9-500.39), short-term rentals are permitted in all municipalities within the state, including Gilbert. However, property owners must obtain and maintain a Town of Gilbert Short-Term Rental License and comply with all applicable tax obligations and local regulations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Gilbert?

Gilbert hosts earn a median $44,905/year with $225 ADR and 74% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $64,963+ per year.

See the full Gilbert market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Gilbert

Starting a short-term rental business in Gilbert requires completing a four-step process before you can legally operate:

Step 1: Obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License

Apply for a TPT license from the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR)
Each property address must be listed on your license
Your TPT license number will be required to register with GovOS
Website: AZTaxes.Gov
Important: This license is mandatory regardless of whether you use online lodging marketplaces

Step 2: Complete Maricopa County Assessor's Office Registration

Register each rental property with the Maricopa County Assessor's Office
Proof of this registration is required for GovOS registration
Exception: If the property is your primary residence and you only rent specific portions (one bedroom, casita, etc.), registration with the County is not required, but you must upload proof of ownership during application
Website: Maricopa County Assessor Registration

Step 3: Complete Neighbor Notification

Before operating as a STR, notify all adjacent properties including:
- Single-family residential properties adjacent to your property
- Properties directly across the street
- Diagonally across the street properties
- For multi-family buildings: all units on the same building floor
Easy-to-use postcards are available for pickup at 50 E Civic Center Drive (front desk)
Or print and mail letters using the provided template
Template Location: Available through Gilbert's website

Step 4: Register with GovOS

Complete the licensing process through Gilbert's official platform
You'll need your Account Number and Activation Code from GovOS
If you didn't receive these, contact ShortTermRentals@gilbertaz.gov or call (888) 751-1911
Registration Portal: Gilbert GovOS

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Licenses and Permits Required:

Town of Gilbert Short-Term Rental License
- New license fee: $100
- Annual renewal fee: $100
- License is valid for one year (expires in the month you applied)
- Per property licensing required
Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License
- Obtained from Arizona Department of Revenue
- Mandatory for all STR operations
Maricopa County Assessor Registration
- Required for most STR properties
- Proof needed for GovOS registration

Required Documentation:

Proof of property ownership
TPT license number
County registration proof (when applicable)
Neighbor notification completion confirmation
Contact information for property owner/manager

Key Guidelines:

Zoning Compliance: Properties must comply with the Town of Gilbert's Land Development Code
HOA/CC&R Considerations: State law does not preclude Homeowner Associations from regulating or restricting STRs within their communities
Safety Requirements: Properties must meet health, safety, and building codes

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Tax Obligations:

Transaction Privilege (Sales) Tax: Required for all STR properties
Transient Tax (Bed Tax): Additional tax applicable to short-term rentals
Online Lodging Marketplace (OLM) Considerations:
- Even if you use platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, you must maintain your own TPT license
- File tax returns showing gross receipts from OLM
- Use deduction code 775 for amounts received from OLM
- Gilbert provides specific guidance for OLM tax filing

Operational Requirements:

License Display: Maintain current license through GovOS platform
Contact Information Updates: Update STR license in GovOS when contact information changes
Neighbor Notification: Must notify neighbors within 10 days of any changes
Good Neighbor Compliance: Provide guests with Good Neighbor Guide and any HOA/community guidelines

Enforcement and Penalties:

Operating Without License: Violations can result in fines and penalties
License Denial: 30-day appeal period available
Complaint Process: 24/7 hotline at 480-805-8141
Online Complaints: Available through Gilbert's STR portal

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary STR Contact:

Email: ShortTermRentals@gilbertaz.gov
Phone: (888) 751-1911 (GovOS Support)
Website: Gilbert STR Licensing Portal

General Town Contact:

Phone: (480) 503-6000
Location: 50 E Civic Center Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Website: GilbertAZ.gov

Complaint Hotline:

24/7 STR Complaint Line: 480-805-8141
Online Complaint Form: Available through GovOS portal

Department-Specific Contacts:

Tax Compliance Division: For TPT and tax-related questions
Code Compliance: For zoning and property compliance
Police Department: For safety and noise complaints

Key Resources and Forms

Required Forms and Documents:

Short-Term Rental License Application: Through GovOS portal
TPT License Application: Arizona Department of Revenue
Maricopa County Registration: County Assessor
Neighbor Notification Template: Available at Town Hall or online
Good Neighbor Guide: Printable resource for guest distribution

Important Links:

State and County-Level Context

While Gilbert has specific local requirements, these operate within the broader Arizona and Maricopa County framework:

Arizona State Law (A.R.S. §9-500.39):

Mandates that STRs be permitted statewide
Allows municipalities to regulate licensing and operations
Does not preempt HOA/CC&R restrictions

Maricopa County Requirements:

Mandatory rental property registration for all rental types
Applies to both long-term and short-term rentals
Separate from Gilbert's licensing requirements

Online Platform Requirements:

Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO must not list STRs without license numbers
State law provides framework for platform compliance

This comprehensive framework ensures that Gilbert STR investors operate within a clear regulatory environment while maintaining community standards and compliance with both state and local requirements.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Gilbert

Gilbert sits in the southeast corner of the Phoenix metropolitan area in Maricopa County, Arizona, about 22 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix. Once a small agricultural town centered on cotton and hay, it has grown into one of the largest incorporated towns in the United States, with a population of approximately 275,000. Today it carries the feel of a polished suburb with a strong family-oriented identity, a revitalized historic core, and easy access to the Sonoran Desert's outdoor playgrounds. It serves as a comfortable home base for visitors exploring the Phoenix area as well as day-trippers heading into the region's mountains, lakes, and desert parks.

The Heritage District forms the heart of old Gilbert, centered around preserved agricultural buildings, the iconic water tower, and a walkable grid of locally owned restaurants, boutiques, and breweries. A weekly farmers market and a steady calendar of community events give the area a relaxed, small-town energy that contrasts with the surrounding suburbs. It sits within a short drive of nearly any neighborhood in town, making it a natural anchor for first-time visitors who want a taste of the community without straying far from their rental.

Just minutes from the Heritage District, the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch spreads across more than a hundred acres of reclaimed water basins and desert habitat. Walking and cycling paths loop past ponds that host herons, owls, and seasonal waterfowl, and an on-site observatory hosts regular public stargazing nights. It is one of the few places in the metro area where travelers can step directly from suburban streets into a working desert wetland.

Roughly thirty minutes south of Gilbert, the San Tan Mountains rise from the Sonoran Desert floor. San Tan Mountain Regional Park offers a network of trails ranging from short sunset loops to longer climbs with sweeping views of the surrounding valleys. The park is popular for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, and it tends to be a few degrees cooler than the lower-elevation preserves closer to Phoenix.

To the northeast, about an hour's drive, the Salt River cuts through Tonto National Forest, where Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake draw boaters, kayakers, and paddlers for a classic Arizona reservoir experience. The drive passes through the foothills of the Superstition Mountains, the rugged range tied to the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, giving visitors an easy day trip that combines open-water scenery with frontier lore.

Gilbert works well as a short-term-rental base because it sits within easy reach of both the urban offerings of the Phoenix-Scottsdale corridor and the outdoor destinations that draw travelers to Arizona in the first place. Guests can spend a morning on a desert trail, an afternoon browsing the Heritage District, and an evening at a major league spring-training game in nearby Mesa, all without long drives or complicated logistics. The combination of safe neighborhoods, modern housing stock, and a year-round calendar of regional events gives the town a steady appeal for families, sports travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Gilbert, Arizona

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Gilbert, Arizona