Arizona sets its rental rules at the state level under the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ARLTA, A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10). Tenant protections are limited and the eviction timeline is fast: nonpayment gets only a 5-day notice, and a court hearing can come within days. Arizona has no rent control, and state law preempts cities and towns from adopting it. There is no statewide source-of-income protection either, but Phoenix and Tucson ban voucher (source-of-income) discrimination by local ordinance. The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) is the state housing agency, and the Department of Economic Security (DES) runs utility assistance and eviction-prevention programs. This page covers the statewide rules, the eviction timeline, and links to every Arizona city we cover.
- 211 Arizona — free, 24/7 — for any housing emergency anywhere in Arizona
- AZLawHelp.org (free legal aid): azlawhelp.org
- Arizona Department of Housing: housing.az.gov
- DES rental & utility assistance: des.az.gov
- HUD fair housing: 1-800-669-9777
Public Housing & Vouchers in Arizona
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are run by local authorities — the City of Phoenix Housing Department, the City of Mesa Housing Authority, and others — while the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) administers a statewide voucher program for areas without a local PHA and oversees project-based Section 8 contracts covering thousands of units. ADOH also allocates Low-Income Housing Tax Credits — search HUD’s LIHTC database or read how to find LIHTC housing.
Apply to several authorities at once — you are not limited to your home city. Use HUD’s PHA directory or our how to find your PHA and how to apply for Section 8 guides. City-specific waitlist status is on the city pages below.
Rent Control & Source of Income
Arizona has no rent control, and under A.R.S. 33-1329 the state reserves that power to itself — cities and towns cannot cap rents. There is no statewide source-of-income protection, so in most of Arizona a landlord can legally decline a Housing Choice Voucher. Two cities are the exception: Phoenix (enforced by its Equal Opportunity Department) and Tucson (Ordinance 11959) prohibit refusing a tenant because of a voucher or other lawful source of income, and the state has not preempted them. Part of using a voucher here is finding landlords who already participate — ask your PHA for its participating-landlord list and read our source-of-income protections guide.
Emergency Rental Assistance in Arizona
If you are behind on rent or cannot cover this month, these are the main channels:
- Local rental assistance — Arizona’s statewide pandemic rental program (ERAP) has ended, so current help is local; the Arizona Department of Housing lists open rental-assistance and eviction-prevention options at housing.az.gov, and dialing 211 routes you to what is available near you
- Dial 211 to be routed to whatever local rental and prevention funds are open near you, and to your regional Coordinated Entry for shelter and rapid re-housing
- LIHEAP / utility help through DES lowers heating and cooling bills — vital in Arizona heat, and it frees up cash for rent. See utility assistance programs
- Community Action Agencies, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and St. Vincent de Paul provide one-time emergency assistance across the state
See our emergency rental assistance guide for the national picture.
Arizona Tenant Law: Key Protections at a Glance
Quick Reference: Arizona (AZ)
- Source-of-income protection: none statewide; Phoenix and Tucson ban voucher discrimination by local ordinance
- Rent control: none — preempted statewide (A.R.S. 33-1329)
- Security deposit limit: 1.5 months’ rent (A.R.S. 33-1321)
- Deposit return deadline: 14 business days, itemized
- Eviction notice (nonpayment): 5 days (A.R.S. 33-1368)
- Eviction notice (lease violation): 10 days to cure; 5 days for a health/safety breach
- Notice to end month-to-month: 30 days (A.R.S. 33-1375)
- Self-help eviction: illegal (A.R.S. 33-1367)
Security deposits
Under A.R.S. 33-1321, a landlord cannot demand more than one and one-half months’ rent as a deposit (including any prepaid rent). After you move out and request it, the landlord has 14 business days to return the deposit with an itemized list of deductions. You have the right to be present at a move-out inspection if you ask. See how to recover your security deposit.
Eviction process & how long it takes
Arizona’s process is fast, and self-help eviction (lockouts, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is illegal under A.R.S. 33-1367. The sequence:
- 5-day notice for nonpayment, or a 10-day cure notice for a lease violation (5 days for a health/safety breach)
- Special detainer action filed in justice or superior court; you are served a summons
- Hearing within days — Arizona courts set the eviction hearing quickly after filing, so do not wait. Appear and bring your lease, receipts, and photos
- Judgment and writ of restitution: if the landlord wins, the court issues a writ and a constable carries out the eviction shortly after
An uncontested Arizona eviction can finish in about two to three weeks from the notice. Because the timeline is short, get help the same day you receive a notice — AZLawHelp.org and read how to avoid eviction and understanding landlord notices.
Other Housing Programs in Arizona
- Public housing — government-owned affordable apartments run by local authorities; the public-housing waitlist is separate from the Section 8 list
- LIHTC (tax-credit) apartments — privately owned, income-restricted units allocated by ADOH; search HUD’s LIHTC database for your county
- HUD-VASH (veterans) — a voucher paired with VA case management; ask your VA medical center or see how to apply for HUD-VASH
- Rapid re-housing — for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness; access through Coordinated Entry by calling 211
- Eviction prevention — if you are behind, our eviction prevention hub explains what to do before your court date
Major Arizona Cities We Cover
City pages carry local PHA waitlist status, named rental-assistance programs, and shelter contacts:
- Phoenix affordable housing resources
- Mesa affordable housing resources
- Tucson affordable housing resources
Where to Get Help in Arizona
Free legal aid: AZLawHelp.org connects renters to Community Legal Services, Southern Arizona Legal Aid, and DNA People’s Legal Services.
State housing agency: Arizona Department of Housing for vouchers, LIHTC, and programs; DES for rental and utility assistance.
Find your local PHA: HUD’s PHA directory or our how to find your PHA guide.
211 helpline: dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org for rental help, shelters, and utility assistance.
HUD fair housing: file at hud.gov/reporthousingdiscrimination or call 1-800-669-9777.
Next Steps
Not sure where to start? Our Where to Start tool routes you to the right mix of Arizona programs in about two minutes based on whether your need is an emergency or long-term.
Because Arizona evictions move fast, do not wait if you have a 5-day notice: contact AZLawHelp.org the same day and read eviction prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landlord refuse my Section 8 voucher in Arizona?
In most of Arizona, yes - there is no statewide source-of-income protection, so a landlord can legally decline a Housing Choice Voucher. But Phoenix and Tucson have local ordinances that prohibit voucher (source-of-income) discrimination, so within those two cities a landlord generally cannot refuse you just for using Section 8. Elsewhere, find landlords who already accept Section 8 - ask your PHA for its participating-landlord list.
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arizona?
No more than one and one-half months' rent, including any prepaid rent (A.R.S. 33-1321). After you move out and ask for it back, the landlord has 14 business days to return the deposit with an itemized list of any deductions. You can request to be present at the move-out inspection.
How fast is eviction in Arizona?
Fast. Nonpayment gets only a 5-day notice (A.R.S. 33-1368), then the landlord files a special detainer action and the court sets a hearing within days. An uncontested eviction can finish in about two to three weeks from the notice. Self-help eviction - lockouts, removing belongings, shutting off utilities - is illegal (A.R.S. 33-1367). Get legal help the same day you are served.
Is there rent control in Arizona?
No. Arizona has no rent control, and A.R.S. 33-1329 preempts cities and towns from adopting it. There is no cap on how much a landlord can raise the rent at renewal; your protection comes from your lease term and the 30-day notice required before a month-to-month increase.
What notice does my landlord owe me in Arizona?
For nonpayment of rent, a 5-day notice. For a lease violation, a 10-day notice to cure (5 days for a material health or safety breach). To end a month-to-month tenancy, 30 days (A.R.S. 33-1375). Notices must be in writing; verbal demands do not start the clock.