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How to Get a Mesa Short-Term Rental License

Follow the Mesa STR license process: verify jurisdiction, prepare TPT and owner records, apply in DIMES, pay the $250 fee, notify neighbors, and renew.

Allowed with license Updated July 23, 2026

Mesa STR License Overview

The deeded owner applies for a property-specific Mesa Short-Term Rental License through DIMES. Complete the jurisdiction, TPT, ownership, contact, fee, and notice work for each rental unit.

Sources:[2][3][5]

License at a Glance

Applicant
Deeded property owner
Fee
$250 non-refundable per unit
Portal
DIMES / Accela Citizen Access
Term
One year from issuance
Renewal filing
At least 45 days before expiration
Sources:[2][5]

Before You Apply

  • Mesa jurisdiction confirmed

    Required

    Save the Explore Mesa result showing the unit is inside City limits.

  • HOA rules checked

    Required

    Resolve any private restriction before paying a non-refundable fee.

  • TPT location active

    Required

    Confirm the Arizona TPT license lists every Mesa unit in the application.

  • Owner and emergency contact ready

    Required

    Prepare current owner, statutory-agent when applicable, and designated emergency-contact details.

Sources:[2][4][7][6]

Want a cleaner path through DIMES?

Let Pine organize the property, TPT, contact, evidence, payment, and follow-up checklist before you apply.

You’ll continue in Pine to review the checklist and add property details. Final government submissions remain under your control.

Apply in DIMES

  1. 1

    Create or access the DIMES account

    Open the City-designated portal and register or sign in.

  2. 2

    Choose the application type

    Select the single- or multiple-rental-unit application that matches the portfolio.

  3. 3

    Enter the location and contacts

    Search the rental address, then complete the owner and emergency-contact fields.

  4. 4

    Review acknowledgements and attachments

    Confirm every required field and attach TPT or ownership evidence when requested.

  5. 5

    Pay and track the record

    Submit the non-refundable fee, keep the receipt, and monitor My Records and email for requests.

A successful payment is not the license

DIMES forwards the paid application to Licensing staff for review. Track the record and respond if the City asks for more information.

Sources:[5][6][2]

Required Records

  • Valid Arizona TPT license showing each Mesa rental unit

    Required

    The current license must list every Mesa rental unit included in the city application.

  • Owner contact information

    Required

    Use the deeded owner’s current legal and contact information.

  • Statutory-agent information, when applicable

    Provide this record when the ownership structure requires a statutory agent.

  • Designated emergency-contact information

    Required

    Use a monitored 24-hour contact who can respond to complaints and emergencies.

  • Property deed or title, if the City cannot independently verify ownership

    Conditional evidence requested only when Licensing staff cannot verify ownership independently.

  • At least $500,000 in liability coverage or qualifying marketplace coverage

    Required

    Maintain the state-required coverage or qualifying online-marketplace protection.

  • Neighbor notice containing the Mesa license number, rental address, and emergency contact

    Required

    Keep the exact written notice and delivery evidence in the property record.

Sources:[2][7][1][3]

After the License Is Issued

  1. 1

    Prepare the neighbor notice

    Include the issued Mesa license number, property address, and emergency-contact details.

  2. 2

    Deliver and retain evidence

    Keep the exact notice, recipient record, and proof of delivery in case the City requests them.

  3. 3

    Publish accurate license and TPT details

    Keep advertising and platform records aligned with the active property licenses.

Sources:[2][3][7]

Renewal & Common Failure Points

  • Start before the 45-day deadline

    Late records must use a new application instead of the renewal flow.

  • Do not transfer the license

    A new deeded owner or rental address needs a new application.

  • Keep the TPT locations current

    A missing rental location can delay issuance or renewal.

  • Watch the application email

    Licensing staff use email when additional information is required.

Sources:[2][3][7][6]

Sources

Review the Mesa licensing page, City Code, DIMES instructions, tax guidance, and county registration record used for this guide.

  1. 1
    A.R.S. § 9-500.39 — Vacation and short-term rental regulation

    Arizona State Legislature

    State-law limits on local STR regulation, permitted licensing requirements, neighbor notice, insurance, prohibited uses, and civil penalties.

  2. 2
    Short-Term Rental License

    City of Mesa Licensing Office

    Current Mesa licensing requirements, jurisdiction check, documents, $250 fee, annual renewal, neighbor notice, and contact information.

  3. 3
    Mesa City Code, Title 5, Chapter 15 — Short-Term Rentals

    City of Mesa

    Codified Mesa provisions for the STR license, application, emergency contact, neighbor notification, renewal, and enforcement.

  4. 4
    Explore Mesa Jurisdiction Map

    City of Mesa

    City mapping tool used to confirm whether an address is inside Mesa rather than another city or a Maricopa County island.

  5. 5
    DIMES Online Application Portal

    City of Mesa

    City-designated portal for Mesa short-term rental license applications and renewals.

  6. 6
    How to Apply for a Short-Term Rental License in DIMES

    City of Mesa Licensing Office

    Official illustrated DIMES guide covering account access, application type, address, owner and emergency-contact fields, acknowledgements, review, payment, and status tracking.

  7. 7
    Short-Term Lodging

    Arizona Department of Revenue

    TPT guidance for stays under 30 days, licensing, online lodging marketplaces, filing, and county rental registration.

  8. 8
    Transient Lodging Tax

    City of Mesa

    Mesa guidance for transient lodging tax reporting through ADOR, including region and business-class codes and the current city rate components.

  9. 9
    Rental Registration Frequently Asked Questions

    Maricopa County Assessor’s Office

    Guidance for registering a residential rental, checking registration status, and appointing a statutory agent when required.

Your Mesa STR Action Plan

Keep the city license, tax, county, insurance, notice, and renewal work in one property record.

  • Create a DIMES-ready packet

    Separate confirmed prerequisites from conditional ownership evidence and post-license notice work.

  • Reconcile every address

    The City map, deed, TPT location, DIMES record, and notice should identify the same unit.

  • Leave final submission with the owner

    The deeded owner reviews the record, pays the fee, and completes the government submission.

Turn the Mesa application into a working checklist

Start with the property address and organize the prerequisites, records, DIMES fields, notice, and renewal work.

You’ll continue in Pine to review the checklist and add property details. Final government submissions remain under your control.

Sources:[2][3]

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I apply for a Mesa STR license?

Mesa directs owners to the DIMES / Accela Citizen Access portal.

Sources:[2][5]
Can a property manager apply instead of the owner?

The City states that the short-term rental license is issued only to the deeded owner.

Sources:[2]
What should I prepare before opening DIMES?

Confirm Mesa jurisdiction and HOA eligibility, then prepare the TPT location record, owner and statutory-agent details when applicable, emergency contact, payment method, and conditional ownership evidence.

Sources:[2][4][6]
What happens if I miss the Mesa renewal deadline?

Mesa states that a license not renewed by the 45-day deadline must use the new-license application process.

Sources:[2]

This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Regulations and agency procedures can change. Confirm the current requirement with the linked government office before operating or submitting an application.