How Gilbert, AZ Prepares for the Future While Protecting What Makes It Great with GovOS

Gilbert’s approach to managing their short-term rentals was labor-intensive and lacked efficiency, hindering their ability to keep pace with the rapidly growing numbers of short-term rentals they knew were operating within Town limits. The lack of publicly available information and a paper-based, manual process resulted in low compliance rates among rental property owners, further resulting in a substantial loss of potential revenue that could have been reinvested into the community.

Additionally, the state had passed down an ordinance that Gilbert could either choose to follow or create their own that best fit the Town’s unique needs. “There was a lot of confusion around what compliance looks like,” explained Namor. “What does it mean for Gilbert? What does it mean at the state level, and what can we actually require our owners to do in the meantime?”

Gilbert recognized the urgent need for a strategic overhaul of its short-term rental management system. The goal was to transition to a more regulated, transparent, and efficient framework that could better serve the interests of all stakeholders involved, including short-term rental owners and local residents. By addressing these challenges head-on, Gilbert aimed to enhance its regulatory framework as well as foster a more vibrant, sustainable community that could thrive in the face of the short-term rental economy’s demands.

When finding a software solution, it was critical for Gilbert to obtain community buy-in. Namor shared, “It was about creating an effective way to obtain the information we really needed to stay compliant with the state and to also make sure that the property owners knew that we were here to serve as a resource to them as well.”

Gilbert turned to the GovOS tax and licensing solutions that offered a comprehensive suite of tools designed to automate and streamline the entire process of managing, registering, and taxing short-term rentals. This included digital applications for licenses and taxes, an online portal for easy access and management by rental owners, and sophisticated data analytics for better decision-making by town officials.

The implementation of these GovOS solutions transformed Gilbert’s approach from a largely reactive, paper-based system to a proactive, data-driven strategy. This move dramatically improved compliance rates through easier registration processes and more effective enforcement capabilities.

Increased Efficiency & Compliance

The move to digital processes facilitated a smoother, more accessible registration process for rental owners, resulting in less strain on staff and greater ease for short-term rental owners.

Fees for Services

With more rentals registered and accurate fee payments, Gilbert was able to invest in supporting local tourism to the benefit of the community.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

One of the standout achievements was the improved engagement with both rental owners and the wider community. The GovOS platform enabled Gilbert to communicate more effectively with stakeholders, providing clear information about regulations, requirements, and resources available to both owners and residents.

By enabling an open and transparent process and the Town’s focus on communication the result was a more cooperative relationship between the Town, short-term rental owners, and residents to promote a better understanding and compliance with local ordinances and support smarter long-term growth.