SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The hundreds of short-term rental properties in Scottsdale may be of interest to vacationing visitors, but they’re causing headaches for some people living in the area.

Signs reading “Homes, Not Hotels” are popping up in a neighborhood near Old Town Scottsdale.

“This is something I just bought,” said Meg Dingmann of Scottsdale.

Another sign in his yard sends a message about short-term rentals: “Short-Term Rentals Are Devastating Neighborhoods.”

“My neighborhood has small, modest houses. They used to be, you know, perfect starter homes for families just starting out, small families,” Dingmann said. “There are currently at least 20 short-term rental apartments in this neighborhood. “Most of the time they sit vacant and are owned by investors.”

“People talk about the housing shortage,” Dingmann said. “Maybe there is no housing shortage. “There is just a housing shortage.”

Showing city records There are nearly 20 short-term rental properties in the neighborhood called Peaceful Valley, but Dingmann isn’t the only neighbor who feels like they’re disrupting the peace.

“It only takes one person to literally ruin your day and really ruin your night,” said John Washington of Scottsdale.

These homeowners say their rental properties, along with their homes, many of which have remained with the same families for decades, now bring noise and large parties every weekend. A neighbor is said to regularly deal with golf balls flying into his yard.

“He had to board up his windows because he was afraid the cannons would break them, and he doesn’t have a lot of money to fix it if that happens,” Dingmann said.

Washington also has privacy concerns.

“There are title deed restrictions in this neighborhood, there is a ban on buildings higher than two floors,” he said. “We always worry when we see new construction going on.”

Washington says builders are pushing the envelope on height restrictions and fears that roof decks or tall windows will limit the privacy of neighbors around these new structures.

Crime is also a concern. Landlords say that over the past few years, neighbors have been calling the police to report theft, escorts and illegal drug use in some of the short-term rentals.

“You don’t feel safe because you don’t know who these people are,” Dingmann said.

They say that’s where the problems all start 2016 state legislation This states that cities and towns cannot ban vacation rentals or short-term rentals.

“(Senate Bill) 1350 is the law that overrides our local ordinance. And instead of freedom for all, we’re trying to impose more restrictions, or rather, try to reinstate,” Washington said.

Scottsdale’s Deputy City Manager Brent Stockwell said in a statement to ABC15:

“Under state law, the city cannot ban short-term rentals. They are allowed in condos, apartments, townhomes and single-family neighborhoods unless prohibited through a special agreement such as deed restrictions.”

Stockwell said the city, along with other Arizona cities and towns, continues to work on legislation that would address negative consequences associated with short-term rentals.

“The city continues to advocate for the restoration of short-term rental regulations to the city of Scottsdale, where it was located before it was taken away by the State Legislature,” Stockwell said.

Detailed information about short-term rentals in Scottsdale is available at: city ​​website and a Good Neighbor Guide. Both sites have details about what actions residents can take if they experience problems with short-term rentals in their neighborhoods.

Stockwell reminds the public that activities that are legal in a private residence are also legal in short-term rentals. These include meetings, yard games, swimming, playing moderate amounts of music, smoking tobacco or marijuana, and drinking alcohol. The person renting a property can invite guests to park on the street unless there are special restrictions.

Similarly, short-term rentals, like private residences, are not allowed to be used for disruptive parties, illegal gatherings, or other criminal activities.

Additional city data shows short-term rental accommodation has fallen 5.7% since FY 2022/2023. There were 274,300 stays in Scottsdale that year, compared to 258,700 stays in FY 2023/24.

There was also a 20% decline in licensed short-term rental properties last year: There were 3,060 licensed units in Scottsdale in June 2024 compared to 3,852 licensed units in June 2023.

Although short-term stays in Scottsdale have decreased, they still generated $15.6 million in tax revenue in FY 2023/24. That’s up nearly 7% from the previous year, when the city collected $16.6 million. By comparison, motels and resorts brought in $43.7 million.

In addition to regular patrols, Scottsdale police have also created a special unit dedicated to short-term rentals. Police laid 738 charges relating to these properties in the 2023/25 Financial Year. That’s 30% more than last year’s just 25 charges.

Over Labor Day weekend, Scottsdale police responded to 21 calls about loud music or parties at these rental properties. Three people were cited in three different incidents. One was for permitting a disruptive party, the other was for an underage drinking violation and permitting a disruptive party, and the third was for making a false report or disobeying a police officer.

Short-term rental companies reached by ABC15 had no immediate comment.

AirBnB, which is not beholden to any of the hosts’ claims but operates in Scottsdale, has a global network. party ban policy. Harassing and unauthorized parties are prohibited from AirBnB listings, and guests who violate policies may have their accounts suspended or removed from the platform.

By 2023, AirBnB reported a more than 50% drop in the rate of party notifications worldwide since the party ban was introduced in 2020.

Additionally, starting in 2020, AirBnB has implemented anti-party systems, which can often lead to disruptive parties in certain areas at certain times of the year. Last year, for Halloween, for example, nearly 1,000 people were deterred from booking an entire home in Arizona because of these protections.

A. Neighborhood Support Line AirBnB allows neighbors to speak directly to the company if they have immediate concerns about a property in their community.

Short term rental platform Vrbo Guests planning an event should make sure the property allows events before booking, he says.

The company says a detailed explanation is available. House Rules section for each property.

Vrbo states that it has policies in place to protect homeowners, their property, and the surrounding community from unauthorized or disruptive gatherings. Guests who violate property rules or policies may not be able to book on site in the future.