The short answer
Separate school demand evidence from the economics and restrictions of the specific property you are considering. This guide organizes 25 sourced questions for Arizona State University.
Prepare your next decision
- Check the source date and scope of enrollment or housing-demand claims.
- Obtain property-specific rent evidence, operating costs and applicable occupancy or rental restrictions.
- Compare financing, vacancy, maintenance and exit assumptions before treating asking prices as an investment return.
Must a Tempe rental be registered with the county?
Tempe states that all rental units must be registered with the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
What heating capability does Tempe require in rental housing?
Tempe’s rental guidance requires tenant-controlled heating capable of heating habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms to at least 70°F.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
What cooling limits does Tempe publish for rental units?
Tempe lists tenant-controlled cooling to no more than 88°F with evaporative cooling or 82°F with air conditioning.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
What hot-water capability does Tempe require in rental units?
The city requires properly installed and maintained hot water capable of reasonable amounts at a minimum temperature of 110°F.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Can tenants use landscaped areas for parking?
No. Tempe’s rental guidance limits parking to the driveway or other approved areas and prohibits parking in landscaped areas.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Who must maintain rental-property alleys in Tempe?
The city says alleys adjacent to each property must be clear of vegetation and debris up to the alley center point.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
What pool conditions does Tempe’s rental guidance require?
Pools must be fenced off from the public and maintained to avoid deterioration, health hazards or infestations.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
When does a Tempe stay need a short-term rental license?
A property rented for 29 days or less needs a valid city STR license before it is listed or rented.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Is one Tempe STR license enough for several units?
No. Each unit needs its own license, application and payment.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
What liability insurance must a Tempe STR operator show?
The city requires at least $500,000 liability coverage from an insurance provider or an equal-or-greater qualifying rental-platform policy.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
What is the published annual Tempe STR license fee?
The city lists $250 per property, or $187.50 if the license is issued on or after July 1. Reconfirm fees before filing.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
When do Tempe STR licenses expire?
STR licenses expire January 1 each year; the city says to renew by December 31 to avoid penalties.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Which neighbors receive notice after Tempe STR approval?
The city requires notice to adjacent properties, including directly and diagonally across the street; in a multifamily building, all units on the same floor must be notified.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
What must Tempe STR neighbor notices include?
The notice must include the STR license number and emergency contact information. The city then requires an attestation of compliance.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Does a 30-day-or-longer Tempe rental need the city STR license?
The city states that rentals of 30 days or longer do not require its Short-Term Rental License. Other rental registration and applicable requirements still need review.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
What is an ADU under Tempe’s published guidance?
An ADU is an independent rentable dwelling on the same lot as an existing stand-alone single-family house; it may be attached, detached or converted from existing space.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Where does Tempe generally allow attached and detached ADUs?
A lot zoned to allow single-family use and containing a single-family dwelling may have one attached and one detached ADU, subject to applicable development standards.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Can an existing duplex use Tempe’s single-family ADU rules?
The city says properties with an existing duplex, triplex or similar are not eligible under those ADU rules. Additional-unit potential instead depends on the underlying zoning district.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
How large may an ADU be on a Tempe lot under one acre?
The published maximum is the lesser of 75% of the main dwelling’s interior habitable floor area or 1,000 square feet; district lot-coverage standards also apply.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
What ADU size limit does Tempe publish for lots of at least one acre?
For lots of one acre or more, the maximum is the lesser of 75% of the main dwelling’s interior habitable floor area or 2,000 square feet.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Does Tempe require extra parking spaces for an ADU?
The city says House Bill 2720 prohibits requiring extra parking spaces or fees instead of spaces for an ADU. An owner can voluntarily provide parking.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Must an ADU copy the exterior design of the main house?
The city says state legislation prevents requiring an exterior design match. Separate HOA or recorded CC&R requirements may still need approval.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Can HOA restrictions limit an ADU even if the city permits one?
Yes. Tempe explains that HOA covenants can be more restrictive than local rules and may restrict ADU permission.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
When does Tempe require owner occupancy for a short-term-rental ADU?
The city says the owner must reside on site if the property contains an ADU licensed as an STR that was constructed on or after December 20, 2024.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Explicitly stated source periods: 2024. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Do two-story ADUs require additional Tempe review?
Tempe’s guidance states that a Use Permit is required for two-story ADU designs following the December 17, 2025 Board of Adjustment decision.
Source guidance recorded on 2026-10-15. Explicitly stated source periods: 2025. Confirm the applicable policy year, cohort and property jurisdiction before relying on time-sensitive facts.
Sources & editorial context
University housing information is organized from the linked sources, with its original review date shown. Rates, deadlines and availability can change; use the applicable academic year and check the source before committing. CollegeHousing.ai is independent of Arizona State University.
Get help with your next decision
Julie Allen, REALTOR at eXp Realty, is the local real estate contact. Matt Dean, NEXA Lending, NMLS #227603, is the financing contact.