Phoenix — Ch. 22 Art. VI Property Maintenance § 22-426.7
Payment of past due water and sewer charges
Operative Text
No certificate of occupancy shall be issued if there are unpaid water and sewer charges, or debts or liens against the property or parties outstanding. Payment of all past due charges shall be made prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Under Phoenix Ch. 22 Art. VI § 22-426.7, a certificate of occupancy cannot be issued for a property that has any outstanding unpaid water and sewer charges, debts, or liens. All such past-due amounts must be fully paid before the city will issue the certificate. This rule applies regardless of who incurred the charges — the obligation to clear them falls on the property before occupancy is officially authorized.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Phoenix Ch. 22 Art. VI § 22-426.7 generally confirm that all water and sewer accounts are current and that no outstanding debts or liens exist before seeking a certificate of occupancy. Compliant operators typically audit utility accounts and title records well in advance of any occupancy application to avoid delays. Clearing any past-due balances or recorded liens before submitting for the certificate is the standard practice under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Phoenix Ch. 22 Art. VI § 22-426.7 establishes that a certificate of occupancy should not have been issued if unpaid water and sewer charges or liens were outstanding at the time. Tenants who have concerns about whether a valid certificate of occupancy was in place when they moved in may wish to check public records with the City of Phoenix or contact a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance. Raising the status of a property's certificate of occupancy as a concern is one avenue available when questions arise about a unit's legal habitability.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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