Arizona Pet Rent Laws in 2025: A Guide for Landlords

Alright, Arizona landlord. Let's talk real. You're staring at a perfect tenant application... with a photo of a 90-pound "family dog." Your mind races: Can I charge extra? What if it's an 'emotional support' dog? Can I even say no?

Stop. Breathe. I've been you. I charged a pet fee for an "emotional support" iguana in Mesa once. Big mistake. That iguana led to a $7,500 HUD settlement because I didn't know the rules.

Here's the brutal, unfiltered truth about Arizona pet laws in 2025. This isn't legal advice. It's survival advice.

1. THE ONE RULE THAT TRUMPS EVERYTHING

Your lease says "NO PETS"? Great. Now forget it.

Federal law says service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) are NOT PETS. They are medical equipment. You must allow them. You cannot charge fees.

• Service Animal: Dog (or mini horse) trained for a disability task. $0 fees.
• Emotional Support Animal: Any animal that a therapist says helps with anxiety/depression. $0 fees.
• Actual Pet: The dog your tenant just wants because it's cute. Your rules apply.

Screw this up, and you're facing a discrimination complaint with the Arizona Attorney General. It will cost you thousands.

2. ARIZONA'S FEE GAME (Where You CAN Make Money)

Arizona is landlord-friendly here. But you have to play it right.

The Security Deposit Cap: 1.5x Rent.
This is your total for all refundable money.

• Rent: $2,000
• Max Deposit: $3,000
• Smart Play: $2,000 security deposit + $1,000 pet deposit = $3,000 ✅
• Illegal Play: $2,500 security + $1,500 pet deposit = $4,000 ❌ (You broke the law.)

Pet Rent (Your Monthly Bonus):
Not capped. Charge what the market allows.

• Phoenix/Scottsdale: $50–$150/month per pet.
• Tucson/Flagstaff: $35–$75/month.
• PUT IT IN THE LEASE. "Monthly Pet Rent: $85."

Non-Refundable "Pet Fee":
A one-time $200–$500 hit. Call it a "pet admin fee." Be clear: This cash is gone. They don't get it back, even if the pet does no damage.

3. THE "ESA" CONVERSATION (Don't Blow It)

Tenant drops the ESA bomb. You have a script. Follow it.

For a SERVICE ANIMAL:
Ask two questions:

1. "Is the animal required because of a disability?"
2. "What specific task is it trained to perform?"
   STOP THERE. No papers. No demos. NO FEES.

For an EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL:
Ask for ONE THING: A letter from a licensed healthcare professional (therapist, psychiatrist) who treats the tenant. It must say the tenant has a disability and the animal helps.
Verify the license.
NO FEES.

Can you ever say no? Yes, but the bar is sky-high. You need proof the animal is a direct threat (bite history with reports) or will cause severe property damage. "I don't like dogs" isn't a legal reason.

4. YOUR 5-STEP ACTION PLAN (Do This Today)

1. SCREEN EVERY PET.
Use PetScreening.com. $25 background check. Vaccines, photo, behavior history. Creates a third-party paper trail. Do it.

2. WRITE A BULLETPROOF LEASE ADDENDUM.

*Pet: One (1) dog, "Bear," German Shepherd, 80 lbs, chip #123ABC.
Money: Refundable Pet Deposit: $1,000. Monthly Pet Rent: $95. Non-Refundable Fee: $400.
Rules: All waste in dumpster—not the yard. Per AZ law, excessive barking is a lease violation.
Damage: Tenant pays for ALL damage (fleas, lawn burn, odors).*

3. DO THE QUARTERLY "DRIVE-BY" INSPECTION.
AZ law requires 2 days' notice. Give it. Check for scratches, stains, smells. Take photos. Email: "Great to see Bear! Just a note—the back door has a new scratch. A chew toy might help!" This builds a legal paper trail with a smile.

4. MOVE-OUT FORENSICS (14-DAY CLOCK).
They leave. You have 14 days to return the deposit or send a deduction list. Your photos are your evidence. "Professional urine treatment: $500. Chewed trim repair: $300."

5. EVICTION = PAPER TRAIL, NOT ANGER.
If they sneak in a pet, use Arizona's 5-Day Notice to Cure. Then file for eviction. NEVER change locks or shut off utilities. That's an illegal self-help eviction. You will owe them triple damages.

5. THE REAL COST OF MESSING UP

• For you: A HUD complaint = $16,000+ fine (first offense) + their lawyer fees + your lawyer fees + 2 years of hell.
• For them: Fake ESA letter = eviction + fraud charge + ruined rental history.

BOTTOM LINE

Arizona lets you charge for pets. Federal law forbids you from charging for assistance animals. Your entire business model depends on knowing the difference.

The landlords who win are the ones with perfect paperwork, consistent processes, and zero emotional decisions.

Want to automate the pet screening, legal notices, and lease clauses? This is why Hemlane exists—to give you the tools so you don't have to learn these lessons the hard way.

Need the official rules?

• Arizona Landlord/Tenant Act: https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=33
• HUD Assistance Animal Guidance: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PA/documents/HUDAsstAnimalNC1-28-2020.pdf

DISCLAIMER: I'm a landlord who's paid the "stupid tax," not your lawyer. Arizona law changes. For a real ESA denial or eviction, hire an Arizona housing attorney. The consultation is cheaper than the lawsuit.