Saint Johns, Arizona Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in St. Johns, Arizona?

Short-term rentals are permitted in St. Johns, Arizona, but the specific regulatory framework requires clarification. Based on the provided documents, St. Johns, Arizona operates under general zoning ordinances, but there are no explicit short-term rental regulations identified in the materials provided. This means STRs are likely treated as residential uses within the existing zoning framework, subject to standard zoning compliance requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Saint Johns?

Saint Johns hosts earn a median $15,707/year with $127 ADR and 50% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $18,798+ per year.

See the full Saint Johns market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in St. Johns, Arizona

Step 1: Zoning Compliance Verification

Determine your property's zoning classification by consulting the City of St. Johns Zoning Map
Verify STRs are permitted in your zoning district under the city's zoning ordinance
Contact the Zoning Administrator to confirm your intended use is compliant

Step 2: Business Licensing Requirements

Obtain a business license from the City of St. Johns
Register with the Arizona Department of Revenue for state tax purposes
Consider any county-level requirements through Apache County

Step 3: Property Preparation

Ensure structural compliance with all building codes
Verify adequate parking per zoning requirements
Meet safety standards including fire codes and occupancy limits

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Municipal Requirements

Business License from City of St. Johns
Building Permit (if any modifications are planned)
Zoning Compliance Certificate
Fire Safety Inspection (if required by local fire department)

State Requirements

Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License from Arizona Department of Revenue
Arizona Sales Tax License for transient lodging activities

Specific Regulations

Municipal Level - City of St. Johns, Arizona

Based on the zoning ordinance provided, the following general provisions apply:

Zoning Compliance (Article 1, Section 103)

All properties must conform to zoning district requirements
Any use not specifically allowed is prohibited
Residential uses are typically permitted in residential zones

Permitted Uses in Residential Zones

Single-Family Dwellings (R-1 Zone) - Primary residential use
Two-Family Dwellings (R-2 Zone) - Duplexes and multi-family
Multiple-Family Dwellings (R-3 Zone) - Apartments and complexes

Development Standards

Building Permits required for new construction or modifications
Setback Requirements vary by zone (front, side, rear)
Parking Requirements must be met per Article 7, Section 703
Occupancy Limits subject to building and fire codes

Commercial Activity Restrictions

Commercial uses restricted in residential zones
Home occupation permits required for business activities
Transient lodging may require special consideration

County Level - Apache County

No specific Apache County STR regulations were identified in the provided materials. Apache County likely defers to municipal regulations or has general business licensing requirements.

State Level - Arizona

Arizona Short-Term Rental Framework

Transient Lodging Tax applies to accommodations under 30 days
Sales Tax requirements for hospitality businesses
No statewide STR licensing (delegated to local municipalities)

Contact Information

City of St. Johns, Arizona

Primary Contact for STR Inquiries:

Zoning Administrator

Address: City Hall, St. Johns, Arizona
Phone: Contact city office for current number
Email: Contact city office for current email

Building Department

Permits and inspections
Building code compliance
Phone: Contact city office

Planning and Zoning Commission

Handles zoning issues and variances
Meets regularly for applications

State-Level Contacts

Arizona Department of Revenue

Transaction Privilege Tax licensing
Website: www.azdor.gov
Phone: (602) 255-3381

Apache County

County-level business licensing
Website: www.apachecountyaz.gov
Phone: Contact county office for current number

Important Notes and Considerations

Regulatory Gaps

The provided materials indicate no specific short-term rental ordinances for St. Johns, Arizona. This creates several implications:

Zoning uncertainty - STRs may fall into legal gray areas
Compliance verification - Direct contact with city officials essential
Future regulation - City may develop STR-specific rules

Recommendations for Investors

Immediate Actions

Consult city officials before purchasing or converting properties
Verify zoning compliance for your specific property
Obtain proper licenses before operations
Monitor for regulatory changes as STR popularity grows

Risk Mitigation

Legal review of all local requirements
Insurance coverage for business operations
Professional consultation with local real estate attorneys
Community engagement to understand local concerns

Market Considerations

St. Johns, Arizona Market Profile

Small rural community in Apache County
Tourism potential may be limited compared to larger cities
Regulatory environment appears business-friendly but unclear
Investment opportunities may exist but require thorough due diligence

Source Links

Primary Sources Analyzed:

St. Johns County, Florida STR Regulations (for comparative reference): www.sjcfl.us/short-term-vacation-rentals/
City of St. Johns, Arizona Zoning Ordinance: www.sjaz.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/PZ-Code-1.pdf

Disclaimer: The analysis above is based solely on the provided materials. St. Johns, Arizona appears to have no specific short-term rental regulations in the documents reviewed, which may indicate either a regulatory gap or that STRs are governed under general zoning provisions. Direct consultation with city officials is strongly recommended before making any investment decisions.

This guide is based on publicly available information and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult with local authorities and qualified professionals before proceeding with any real estate investment.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Saint Johns

Saint Johns is a small, quiet town that serves as the county seat of Apache County in eastern Arizona. With a population of roughly 3,300 residents, it carries the unhurried pace of a traditional ranching and farming community, surrounded by high desert grasslands and the distant forested mountains of the Apache-Sitgreaves. The town has a long history as one of the older European-settled places in this part of the state, and it functions today as a modest regional hub for the surrounding rural area, including the nearby White Mountains region. It sits roughly 200 miles east of Phoenix, or about a three-and-a-half-hour drive, and approximately 170 miles southeast of Flagstaff, making it a natural overnight stop for travelers moving between the Phoenix metro area, the high country, and the eastern borderlands.

A short drive south of town, Lyman Lake State Park draws visitors with its reservoir, sandy beaches, and canyon-rim scenery. The lake is well known locally for fishing — including trout, bass, and catfish — as well as for boating, swimming, and waterside camping, and the surrounding terrain has long been a favorite of stargazers. It is roughly fifteen to twenty miles from Saint Johns along a quiet country road, which makes it especially convenient for a day trip or a relaxed evening on the water.

To the northwest, the much larger draw is Petrified Forest National Park, a nationally known destination of colorful badlands, scattered fragments of ancient petrified wood, petroglyphs, and the sweeping vistas of the Painted Desert. The park's main entrance off Interstate 40 near Holbrook is a little over an hour's drive from Saint Johns, putting the small town in reach of one of the more unusual landscapes in the American Southwest.

South and west of Saint Johns lies the White Mountains of Arizona, a high-country recreation area built around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The region offers fishing on cool mountain lakes, hiking through ponderosa pine forests, and winter access to the Sunrise Park Resort ski area near Greer, which sits roughly seventy miles from Saint Johns through a scenic drive over the Mogollon Rim country.

For a short-term-rental investor, Saint Johns appeals because of its position at the intersection of several very different travel patterns: long-haul road trippers crossing Arizona on Interstate 40, outdoor enthusiasts heading into the White Mountains, and visitors making day trips to Lyman Lake and the Petrified Forest. The town has the low-key character of a rural county seat, the kind of place where visitors genuinely feel they have stepped off the main highway and into a working Arizona community, while still being close enough to marquee destinations to make a stay here feel like a well-placed base rather than a detour.