Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1491.34
Civil action by attorney general
Operative Text
A. If the attorney general finds cause to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, and there is no conciliation agreement within thirty days, the attorney general shall immediately file a civil action on behalf of the complainant in superior court against the respondent. B. If the attorney general finds reasonable cause to believe that a party has breached a conciliation agreement, the attorney general shall file a civil action for enforcement of the agreement. C. In an action under this section, the court may award on behalf of the complainant actual and punitive damages and may issue a permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order or other order, including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging in the practice or ordering affirmative action, and may award court costs to the attorney general. D. A person aggrieved by the alleged discriminatory housing practice or damaged by the alleged breach of the conciliation agreement may intervene in a civil action brought under this section.
Under A.R.S. § 41-1491.34, when Arizona's Attorney General finds cause to believe a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is imminent and no conciliation agreement is reached within thirty days, the Attorney General must file a civil lawsuit in superior court on the complainant's behalf. If a conciliation agreement is later breached, the Attorney General may also sue to enforce it. Courts handling these cases can award actual and punitive damages, issue injunctions or restraining orders, and grant court costs to the Attorney General, while individuals harmed by the alleged discrimination may join the lawsuit as intervening parties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Arizona's fair housing laws should be aware that A.R.S. § 41-1491.34 empowers the state Attorney General to bring civil action in superior court when discriminatory housing practices are alleged and conciliation fails. Operators who maintain documented, consistently applied tenant-selection criteria and fair housing compliance policies are generally better positioned during any investigation or conciliation process. If a conciliation agreement is reached, strict adherence to its terms is essential, as a breach can independently trigger further civil enforcement action under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
A.R.S. § 41-1491.34 provides a significant enforcement pathway for people who believe they have experienced discriminatory housing practices in Arizona: if conciliation efforts fail within thirty days, the Attorney General is required to file a civil lawsuit on the complainant's behalf in superior court. Tenants and housing applicants who believe they have been harmed may also intervene directly in any civil action brought under this section, giving them a formal role in the proceedings. Those who believe they have experienced housing discrimination may consider contacting the Arizona Attorney General's Civil Rights Division or a local tenant-rights organization to understand how this provision may apply to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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