STR Complaints Plummet in 2024: Summer Sees the Most Issues

Sedona’s data on short-term rental (STR) complaints indicates an average of 1.5 complaints daily, with activity peaking during the off-peak tourist season. Notably, a small cadre of residents drove a significant portion of these grievances, with just 25 individuals accounting for one-third of all complaints, heavily affecting the overall statistics.

Since the complaint line’s inception on September 9, 2020, Sedona has recorded 2,404 complaints. Reports surged from 157 in the latter months of 2020 to a peak of 794 in 2023, before dropping to 473 in 2024. Overall, 2023 saw the most complaints at an average of 2.18 per day, while 2024 recorded the lowest at 1.3 complaints.

Monthly trends revealed complaints were highest during the summer months: June set the record with 308 complaints, followed by 225 in July and 217 in August. Conversely, February recorded the fewest complaints, totaling 140. Daily complaints varied significantly, with June averaging 2.57 per day, while February’s average fell to 1.24.

Approximately 7.7% of Sedona’s population, or 757 individuals, reported STR complaints, averaging 3.17 per person. A mere 25 residents, about 0.25% of the populace, were responsible for over ten complaints each, contributing to 34.3% of the total. Among this group, one resident submitted 94 complaints, predominantly concerning trash at specific addresses, before ceasing complaints in early 2022.

Another prominent complainant submitted a staggering 356 reports, mainly about trash. His frequency peaked in June 2023, with 103 complaints filed. Notably, on several occasions, he reported the same properties multiple times in a single day.

Excluding this individual’s 283 complaints in 2023 would lower that year’s total to 571, closely resembling 2022’s figures. Additionally, 42 complaints were labeled as “anonymous,” while 194 did not provide any identifying information. Some reports even utilized fake email addresses during online submissions.

Throughout the four-plus-year period, around 588 STR properties garnered complaints, representing 48.6% of the 1,211 registered STRs as of 2024. On average, properties received over four complaints each, with only 4% of STRs facing more than ten complaints. These latter properties collectively received 781 complaints, averaging 15.9 each.

The property with the highest number of complaints was at 22 Hummingbird Circle, totaling 39. Other notable addresses included 40 Cypress Court with 36 complaints and 550 Kachina Drive with 30.

Specific neighborhoods, such as Corral Road and Roadrunner Road, were particularly vocal, with collective complaints often omitting property specifics. An unusual trend emerged where some complainants listed their actual home addresses out of state, including many from California and Texas.

More than half of all complaints were lodged via the city’s hotline, while 991 were registered online. Trash complaints made up the bulk of issues reported (1,062), followed by noise and other concerns. Meanwhile, two members of the Sedona City Council also appeared in the complaint records, with Councilman Pete Furman registering one noise complaint and Mayor Scott Jablow submitting 21 complaints primarily concerning trash.