Landlord guide, Arizona (AZ)
Arizona eviction process: the landlord’s steps from notice to removal
The eviction process in Arizona starts with the 5-day notice to pay or quit: 5 calendar days for unpaid rent (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)). Then the landlord files in the justice court or superior court, where the case is called special detainer; the court hears it, and after judgment a court officer carries out the removal.
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- Notice for unpaid rent
- 5 calendar days
- A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)
- Court
- justice court or superior court
- A.R.S. §§ 33-1377, 12-1178(C), 12-1179(A)
- Time to appeal
- 5 days
- A.R.S. §§ 33-1377, 12-1178(C), 12-1179(A)
- Checked against the statutes
- 1 November 2026
Step by step
The eviction process Arizona landlords follow, step by step
Notice and court names are given as they read on Arizona’s own forms, and timing details are quoted from the statute.
- 1
Step 1
Serve the notice
Unpaid rent: the 5-day notice to pay or quit, 5 calendar days (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)).
Paying everything owed inside the period ends the case, by statute.
Another breach of the lease: the 10-day notice to cure or quit, 10 calendar days (A.R.S. § 33-1368(A)).
No reason, month to month: 30 days’ notice (A.R.S. § 33-1375(B)).
What the statute adds, in English
Before a special detainer action is filed, tendering all past-due rent and a reasonable late fee reinstates the lease; after filing, reinstatement also requires costs and attorney fees, and after judgment it is the landlord's choice. A mailed notice counts as received five days after mailing.
- 2
Step 2
File the eviction in court
File in the justice court or superior court, where the case is called special detainer (A.R.S. §§ 33-1377, 12-1178(C), 12-1179(A)).
- 3
Step 3
Go to the hearing
In the statute, in English
trial on the return day, 3 to 6 days from the summons, with service at least 2 days before; no later than the 3rd day after filing for a material and irreparable breach
- 4
Step 4
Judgment and appeal
If the court rules for you, the tenant has 5 days to appeal.
- 5
Step 5
Removal by a court officer
An officer of the court carries out the removal, on the court’s order.
In the statute, in English
writ of restitution not issued until 5 calendar days after judgment; 12 to 24 hours after judgment for a material and irreparable breach
Arizona eviction process timeline
- Notice before filing
- 5 calendar days
- Time to answer
- Not confirmed
- Hearing
- Quoted in step 3
- Time to appeal
- 5 days
- Removal
- Quoted in step 5
Only some steps have a number in the statute, so no honest total exists: after filing, the court sets the pace.
Can you change the locks yourself?
No. Arizona bans self-help eviction (A.R.S. § 33-1367), so only the court process can remove a tenant.
A landlord may not remove or exclude the tenant or wilfully cut electricity, gas, water or other essential services; the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and recover two months' rent or twice actual damages, whichever is greater.
The court process is the safe course in every state.
Write the Arizona eviction notice
Fill in the notice for Arizona in the generator, then read the rest of the state’s landlord law before you serve it.
Where Dardaris comes in
Most evictions start as one late payment. Dardaris sees it on day one.
It notices the missed rent the day it is due, sends the tenant a reminder, and if nothing comes, drafts the Arizona notice with its 5 calendar days. You read it and sign; nothing goes out without you.
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Dardaris
The statutes
Arizona eviction laws, with the statute behind each step
| Step | What the law says | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Notice for unpaid rent | 5-day notice to pay or quit5 calendar daysPaying in full within the period stops itBefore a special detainer action is filed, tendering all past-due rent and a reasonable late fee reinstates the lease; after filing, reinstatement also requires costs and attorney fees, and after judgment it is the landlord's choice. A mailed notice counts as received five days after mailing. | A.R.S. § 33-1368(B) |
| Notice for a lease breach | 10-day notice to cure or quit10 calendar daysThe tenant can fix the breach within the periodTen days to remedy a material breach, five days for a breach of the tenant's duties materially affecting health and safety, and immediate termination for a material and irreparable breach such as violent crime or illegal drug activity. Material falsification on the application is not curable. | A.R.S. § 33-1368(A) |
| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy | 30 daysWritten notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date specified in the notice. | A.R.S. § 33-1375(B) |
| How a notice is served | hand delivery to the tenantregistered or certified mail to the address the tenant designated or the last known residence, received on actual receipt or five days after mailing, whichever is first | A.R.S. § 33-1313(B) |
| Court and action | justice court or superior courtspecial detainer | A.R.S. §§ 33-1377, 12-1178(C), 12-1179(A) |
| Time to answer | Not confirmed from the statute | Not confirmed from the statute |
| Hearing | trial on the return day, 3 to 6 days from the summons, with service at least 2 days before; no later than the 3rd day after filing for a material and irreparable breach | A.R.S. §§ 33-1377, 12-1178(C), 12-1179(A) |
| Time to appeal | 5 days | A.R.S. §§ 33-1377, 12-1178(C), 12-1179(A) |
| Removal | writ of restitution not issued until 5 calendar days after judgment; 12 to 24 hours after judgment for a material and irreparable breach | A.R.S. §§ 33-1377, 12-1178(C), 12-1179(A) |
| Self-help (lockouts, utilities) | BannedA landlord may not remove or exclude the tenant or wilfully cut electricity, gas, water or other essential services; the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and recover two months' rent or twice actual damages, whichever is greater. | A.R.S. § 33-1367 |
Read against the official texts below on 1 November 2026. The month-to-month period was checked on 29 September 2026.
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01368.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01313.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01377.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01367.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01329.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01375.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/01178.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/01179.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01321.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01322.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01343.htm
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01319.htm
Questions landlords ask about eviction in Arizona
How long does an eviction take in Arizona?
The notice for unpaid rent runs 5 calendar days before you can file. After that the court sets the pace, so there is no honest total: the hearing, the judgment and the removal follow the court’s calendar and the timing rules quoted on this page.
What notice does a Arizona landlord serve for unpaid rent?
The 5-day notice to pay or quit, which gives the tenant 5 calendar days (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)). Paying everything owed inside the period ends the case, by statute.
Can a landlord change the locks in Arizona?
No. Arizona bans self-help eviction (A.R.S. § 33-1367), so only the court process can remove a tenant. The exact limits are quoted on this page.
Where is an eviction filed in Arizona?
In the justice court or superior court, where the case is called special detainer (A.R.S. §§ 33-1377, 12-1178(C), 12-1179(A)).
How does a landlord end a month-to-month tenancy in Arizona?
With 30 days’ notice (A.R.S. § 33-1375(B)). If the tenant stays on after that, the eviction process on this page applies.
Can the tenant appeal an eviction in Arizona?
Yes. The tenant has 5 days after the judgment to appeal.
The eviction process in other states
- Wisconsin: 5 calendar days for unpaid rent
- Wyoming: 3 calendar days for unpaid rent
- Alabama: 7 business days for unpaid rent
- Alaska: 7 calendar days for unpaid rent
- Arkansas: 3 calendar days for unpaid rent
- California: 3 court days for unpaid rent
- Colorado: 10 calendar days for unpaid rent
- Connecticut: 3 calendar days for unpaid rent
General information, not legal adviceEviction law changes, and a court can read a statute differently from this summary. Check the current text and your local court’s rules, or ask a lawyer licensed in the state, before you serve a notice or file.
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