Flagstaff’s City Council is weighing how to implement rules around short-term rentals in the city ahead of a proposed ordinance to license the growing market.

City officials say there’s 31,369 housing units in Flagstaff, according to the 2020 census. And about 3%, or 1,045, are available as short-term rentals. That compares to 1%-2% percent in the Phoenix area. And nearly 10% in Sedona.

Under new Arizona laws, cities and counties were given some powers to regulate the industry. 

Among many questions, cities need to consider for themselves what should be deemed a violation; Arizona does not spell that out. Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett says one violation to consider should be a lack of snow shoveling.

"One of the complaints that we routinely hear is unshoveled sidewalks or trespassing," she said.

Flagstaff wants to develop an ordinance by this summer and then implement licensing and fee payments by Sept. 1.