Arizona Fair Housing Act: What your association should know

What is the Arizona Fair Housing Act?

The fair housing provisions of the Arizona Civil Rights Act (often referred to as the Arizona Fair Housing Act) are the state counterpart to the federal Fair Housing Act and prohibit housing discrimination in Arizona based on protected characteristics such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. These provisions require associations to treat all prospective and current homeowners, residents, and applicants fairly under the law.

While many protections mirror the federal Fair Housing Act, Arizona’s statute is enforced by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office through the Civil Rights Division. Understanding these fair housing requirements helps associations align their rules, policies, and practices with state expectations and minimize legal risk.
 

Key provisions

The Arizona Fair Housing Act includes several important provisions that community associations should be aware of:

• Prohibits discrimination in selling, renting, financing, advertising, or accessing housing based on protected classes such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.
   
• Makes it unlawful to refuse to negotiate for housing or to make a dwelling unavailable because of a person’s protected characteristic.
   
• Requires housing providers to allow reasonable accommodations or modifications for residents with disabilities, such as allowing an assistance animal or changing policies to permit access.
   
• Covers housing providers, as well as associations, landlords, and other entities involved in housing transactions, when they manage, maintain, or regulate dwellings and shared facilities.
   
• Enforces penalties when discrimination is found.
   
• Gives residents or applicants one year after the discriminatory housing practice has occurred or ended to file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Many community leaders overlook how broadly these protections apply. Even small actions, such as how inquiries are answered or how common areas are described, can influence whether a person feels welcome or excluded. The law protects the right of every applicant to be evaluated based on objective criteria rather than personal characteristics.
 

How community associations can protect themselves

Associations subject to the Arizona Fair Housing Act should take proactive steps to align their operations with the law to minimize the risk of claims against them. First, it’s critical to maintain written governing documents (such as CC&Rs, community rules, and bylaws) that do not contain discriminatory terms or operate in a way that disadvantages protected groups. Boards should also review all communication, marketing, application, and enforcement practices for fairness.

Regular internal reviews help boards identify small procedural gaps before they become significant. To support compliance, board members and onsite managers should have training on how to respond when a resident requests a reasonable accommodation or modification.

Many successful associations hold annual workshops to revisit language in governing documents and to discuss any situations that created uncertainty in the past year. By documenting decisions and using consistent criteria, you can help demonstrate that the association acted in good faith under the Arizona Fair Housing Act. This approach keeps knowledge current and creates accountability.
 

Reasonable accommodations and modifications

Associations managing communities must treat requests for reasonable accommodations or modifications under the Arizona Fair Housing Act with care and consistency. Residents with a disability may ask for changes in how rules are applied (accommodation) or physical changes to their unit or common area (modification). These requests can range from reserved parking spaces to small physical adjustments that improve accessibility.

The association may request documentation only if the disability or need is not obvious. Associations must respond within a reasonable timeframe and communicate decisions in writing. They may not charge special fees for reviewing the request merely because it involves a disability. Associations may place reasonable requirements on the request, but must still follow the law’s process. Associations should establish a clear internal process, keep records of each request, and always consult with their legal counsel and property management company.
 

Enforcement and complaint process

The Arizona Fair Housing Act gives individuals the right to file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division if they believe housing discrimination occurred. The resident or applicant must file within one year of the incident or when the practice ended.

Associations may receive notices of investigation, requests for records, or be asked to provide statements. Boards should treat any complaint seriously, retain records, and coordinate with legal counsel. Late or incomplete responses may heighten the risk of costly outcomes.

Taking time to understand the nature of a complaint before responding demonstrates professionalism and respect for the process. Even when the association disagrees with an allegation, a calm and factual response reflects positively on the board’s leadership.
 

Preparing for audits and risk assessment

Associations should periodically assess their operations in light of the Arizona Fair Housing Act. This may include examining past enforcement of rules, analyzing whether any practice inadvertently disadvantages protected groups, reviewing accommodation requests for timeliness and consistency, and verifying that marketing and rental practices are aligned with the law.

A management company can assist by preparing summary reports, supplying vendor oversight logs, and conducting internal reviews of service providers and application workflows. While this is not legal advice, having structured systems in place helps boards respond effectively if a fair housing investigation arises.
 

How a property management company can help

Navigating the requirements of the Arizona Fair Housing Act can be complex, but a professional property management company like FirstService Residential can help your community stay compliant and welcoming to all residents.

From financial management and insurance programs through our affiliate, FirstService Financial, to powerful technology solutions like FirstService Residential Connect™ and HODA®, our digital homeowner assistant, we make communication and operations seamless for residents and boards alike. Add to that our 24/7 Customer Care team and industry-leading training programs for associates and board members, and you’ll see why we’re Arizona’s most trusted property management partner.

Contact a member of our team today to learn more.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.