Arizona Eviction Laws

Arizona rules on eviction for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.

Short answer: 5-day written notice of nonpayment stating that the landlord will terminate the rental agreement if rent is not paid within that time. A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)

The rules in Arizona

Notice for unpaid rent	5-day written notice of nonpayment stating that the landlord will terminate the rental agreement if rent is not paid within that time. Before an eviction is filed, paying all past-due rent plus a reasonable late fee set in a written lease reinstates the agreement. After filing, reinstatement also requires paying attorney fees and court costs. After judgment, reinstatement is at the landlord's discretion. Mobile home space renters get 7 days under a separate act. Per the Arizona Supreme Court eviction timeline, the 5-day wait runs 5 to 10 days depending on how the notice is delivered. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)
Notice for lease violations	10-day notice to cure a material noncompliance with the rental agreement. 5-day notice to cure a noncompliance with § 33-1341 that materially affects health and safety. A repeat of the same or similar violation allows a special detainer action 10 days after written notice. A material and irreparable breach on the premises (for example, illegal weapon discharge, assault, threatening, drug dealing, or serious property damage) allows a notice of immediate termination. Material falsification of criminal or prior eviction records on the application cannot be cured. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 33-1368(A)
Lockouts & utility shutoffs	If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water, or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the lease. In either case the tenant recovers the greater of up to two months' periodic rent or twice actual damages. A landlord may cut landlord-provided utilities only for needed repairs, or the day after a writ of restitution is executed (§ 33-1368(D)); the cut must be done by a person the utility authorizes. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. §§ 33-1367, 33-1364(C)-(D)

How an eviction case works in Arizona

Eviction cases are heard in: Justice Court for the precinct where the property is located (Superior Court also has jurisdiction).

Landlord delivers written notice: 5-day pay-or-quit for nonpayment, 5- or 10-day notice to cure for violations, or immediate notice for a material and irreparable breach
Landlord files a special detainer complaint; the summons issues the same day
Tenant is served at least 2 days before the court date (or by posting plus certified mail)
Initial appearance/trial set 3 to 6 days from the date of the summons; judgment may be entered at the first appearance or at a trial within 3 days
Judgment for possession, rent, late charges stated in the lease, costs, and fees
Writ of restitution may issue 5 calendar days after judgment; it is executed by a constable (or sheriff)
Landlord must store the tenant's remaining property for 14 days after the writ is executed

Landlords: how to evict a tenant in Arizona — steps, costs, timeline and forms.

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Arizona vs. neighboring states

Eviction: Arizona vs. neighboring states
State	Notice for unpaid rent	Notice for lease violations	Lockouts & utility shutoffs
Arizona	5-day written notice of nonpayment stating that the landlord will terminate the rental agreement if rent is not paid within that time. Before an eviction is filed, paying all past-due rent plus a reasonable late fee set in a written lease reinstates the agreement. After filing, reinstatement also requires paying attorney fees and court costs. After judgment, reinstatement is at the landlord's discretion. A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)	10-day notice to cure a material noncompliance with the rental agreement. 5-day notice to cure a noncompliance with § 33-1341 that materially affects health and safety. A repeat of the same or similar violation allows a special detainer action 10 days after written notice. A material and irreparable breach on the premises (for example, illegal weapon discharge, assault, threatening, drug dealing, or serious property damage) allows a notice of immediate termination. A.R.S. § 33-1368(A)	If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water, or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the lease. In either case the tenant recovers the greater of up to two months' periodic rent or twice actual damages. A.R.S. §§ 33-1367, 33-1364(C)-(D)
California	3-day notice to pay rent or quit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due, the name, phone number, and address of the person to pay, and the payment method. It may be served any time within one year after the rent becomes due. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(2)	3-day notice to perform the lease covenant or quit, where the breach can be cured. Weekends and court holidays do not count. For a serious violation that cannot be cured (such as nuisance, waste, or illegal use), a 3-day notice to quit, counting every day. Where just cause applies (§ 1946.2), the landlord must first give written notice and an opportunity to cure a curable violation. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(3)-(4); Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2	Prohibited when done to force the tenant out: willfully cutting utilities (water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, elevator, refrigeration), changing locks, removing doors or windows, or removing the tenant's belongings. The tenant may recover actual damages plus up to $100 per day of violation, with a minimum of $250 per cause of action, and reasonable attorney's fees. Cal. Civ. Code § 789.3
Nevada	Written notice to pay rent or surrender by the close of business on the 7th judicial day after service (summary eviction). For rent reserved weekly or less where the tenancy has lasted 45 days or less: by noon on the 4th full day after service. NRS 40.253(1)	5 days' notice to perform the lease condition (cure) or surrender; if not cured within 5 days the tenant is guilty of unlawful detainer. If the violation cannot be cured, no cure notice is required. NRS 40.2516(1); NRS 40.251(1)(b)(2); NRS 40.254	Prohibited. If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts (or causes/permits interruption of) any essential item or service, the tenant may recover immediate possession, actual damages, and/or an amount up to $2,500 fixed by the court. NRS 118A.390
Utah	3 business days' written notice to pay rent and other amounts due or surrender the premises. Utah Code 78B-6-802(1)(c)	3 calendar days' written notice to perform the lease condition or surrender (cure allowed). 3 calendar days' notice to quit (no cure) for unauthorized assignment/subletting, waste, unlawful business, nuisance, or a criminal act on the premises. Utah Code 78B-6-802(1)(d)-(h)	Unlawful for an owner to willfully exclude a tenant from the premises in any manner except by judicial process (abandoned premises excepted). Utah Courts guidance: without a court order a landlord cannot change the locks, turn off utilities, or take the tenant's belongings. Utah Code 78B-6-814
New Mexico	3-day written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate. Tender of the full amount due, in the manner stated in the notice, before the 3 days expire bars an action for nonpayment. NMSA 1978, § 47-8-33(D)	First material noncompliance: 7-day written notice to cure (tenancy ends in not less than 7 days if not remedied). Second material noncompliance within 6 months: 7-day notice to terminate with no right to cure. Substantial violation (serious criminal-type conduct): 3-day notice to terminate with no cure. NMSA 1978, § 47-8-33(A)-(C), (I)	Without a court order, an owner may not exclude or remove a resident by fraud, changing/plugging locks, blocking entrances, interfering with utilities or services, removing belongings, disabling appliances, or making the unit inaccessible/uninhabitable. Resident may abate 100% of rent for each affected day, recover a civil penalty of 2x monthly rent, recover possession or terminate, and get damages. NMSA 1978, §§ 47-8-36, 47-8-48(C)
Colorado	10-day written demand to pay rent or deliver possession. Exempt residential agreements get 5 days; employer-provided housing gets 3 days. The tenant may pay the full amount in the notice, plus any rent that has since come due, at any time until the judge enters a judgment for possession. Payment can go to the landlord or the court, and the case is then dismissed. For a "covered dwelling" under the federal CARES Act (for example, housing with a federal subsidy or a federally backed mortgage), the landlord must also follow the notice rule in 15 U.S.C. § 9058(c) as enacted on March 27, 2020 (a 30-day notice to vacate), even if federal law later changes (C.R.S. § 38-12-1502, since May 29, 2025). C.R.S. §§ 13-40-104(1)(d), 13-40-106, 13-40-115(4); 38-12-1502 (added by HB 25-1240)	10-day written notice to comply with the violated condition or covenant, or deliver possession (5 days for exempt residential agreements, 3 days for employer-provided housing). A repeat violation of the same covenant after a prior notice allows termination 10 days after written notice, with no cure. Substantial violations, such as certain violent or drug-related criminal acts, are handled under § 13-40-107.5. C.R.S. §§ 13-40-104(1)(e), (1)(e.5), 13-40-107.5	Unlawful for a landlord to remove or exclude a tenant without court process, including by willfully cutting utilities or removing doors, windows, or locks. Exceptions are abandonment, mutual consent, and meth-lab cleanup rules. The tenant is awarded statutory damages equal to actual damages plus the higher of three times monthly rent or $5,000, plus attorney fees and costs, and the court may restore possession. C.R.S. § 38-12-510

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Arizona Eviction Laws FAQ

How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Arizona?

5-day written notice of nonpayment stating that the landlord will terminate the rental agreement if rent is not paid within that time. Before an eviction is filed, paying all past-due rent plus a reasonable late fee set in a written lease reinstates the agreement. After filing, reinstatement also requires paying attorney fees and court costs. After judgment, reinstatement is at the landlord's discretion. (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B))

How much notice is required to evict for a lease violation in Arizona?

10-day notice to cure a material noncompliance with the rental agreement. 5-day notice to cure a noncompliance with § 33-1341 that materially affects health and safety. A repeat of the same or similar violation allows a special detainer action 10 days after written notice. A material and irreparable breach on the premises (for example, illegal weapon discharge, assault, threatening, drug dealing, or serious property damage) allows a notice of immediate termination. (A.R.S. § 33-1368(A))

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Arizona?

If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water, or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the lease. In either case the tenant recovers the greater of up to two months' periodic rent or twice actual damages. (A.R.S. §§ 33-1367, 33-1364(C)-(D))

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.