Uncontested: 21–35 days · Contested: 60–120 days · Under A.R.S. § 33-1301 et seq. (Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)
The Arizona eviction process requires a court-ordered judgment before a landlord can remove a tenant. Timeline figures below begin after the pre-filing notice period expires and the landlord files the complaint with the court. Add 3–60+ days for the applicable pre-filing notice period (pay-or-quit, cure-or-quit, or no-fault) depending on the eviction reason.
| Uncontested eviction (after filing) | 21–35 days | A.R.S. § 33-1301 et seq. (Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) |
| Contested eviction (after filing) | 60–120 days | A.R.S. § 33-1301 et seq. (Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) |
| Pre-filing notice: Nonpayment of rent | 5 days | ARS § 33-1368(B) |
| Pre-filing notice: Material noncompliance (curable) | 10 days | ARS § 33-1368(A) |
| Pre-filing notice: Material and irreparable breach | 5 days | ARS § 33-1368(B) |
| Pre-filing notice: End of month-to-month tenancy | 30 days | ARS § 33-1375 |
| Court filing fee | $210–$350 | A.R.S. § 33-1301 et seq. (Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) |
5 days for nonpayment or irreparable breach, 10 days for curable noncompliance. Personal service preferred; certified mail or post-and-mail permitted with proof. Most Arizona cases that fail at the hearing failed at the notice stage.
Justice Court for cases under $10,000 in rent and damages; Superior Court for higher. Filing fee $35 to $50 by precinct. Sworn complaint, served notice, lease, and proof of service get attached.
The summons issues the day the complaint is filed and sets a hearing 3 to 6 days out. Arizona is unusually fast at this step; most states run 10 to 21 days.
Same-day judgment in most cases. Landlord presents the notice, proof of service, and lease. Tenant may raise defenses (habitability, retaliation, improper notice). Default judgment if the tenant does not appear. Hearings often run 15 minutes or less.
5 days after judgment the landlord may request the writ of restitution (ARS § 33-1377(D)). Court issues the writ in 1 to 2 days. Constable serves it on the tenant with a 12 to 24 hour window to vacate. After that, the constable supervises the lockout.
Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed Arizona attorney. Source attribution in the Sources band below.
