Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1491.35
Pattern or practice cases
Operative Text
A. The attorney general may file a civil action in superior court for appropriate relief if the attorney general has reasonable cause to believe that either: 1. A person is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of any right granted by this article. 2. A person has been denied any right granted by this article and that denial raises an issue of general public importance. B. In an action under this section the court may: 1. Award preventive relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order or other order against the person responsible for a violation of this article as necessary to assure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this article. 2. Award other appropriate relief, including monetary damages, reasonable attorney fees and court costs. 3. To vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty against the respondent in an amount that does not exceed: (a) Fifty thousand dollars for a first violation. (b) One hundred thousand dollars for a second or subsequent violation.
Under A.R.S. § 41-1491 et seq. § 41-1491.35, Arizona's Attorney General is authorized to bring a civil action in superior court when there is reasonable cause to believe that someone is engaged in a pattern or practice of denying housing rights, or when a single denial raises a matter of broad public importance. Courts handling such actions can issue injunctions, award monetary damages and attorney fees, and impose civil penalties reaching $50,000 for a first violation and up to $100,000 for each subsequent violation. This provision is designed to address systemic or publicly significant violations of Arizona's fair housing protections, not just isolated individual disputes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Arizona's fair housing framework should be aware that A.R.S. § 41-1491 et seq. § 41-1491.35 empowers the state Attorney General to pursue civil litigation when repeated or publicly significant violations are identified. Compliant operators typically maintain consistent, documented policies that apply equally to all applicants and residents, reducing the risk that any series of decisions could be characterized as a pattern or practice of resistance to protected rights. Because civil penalties under this provision can reach $100,000 for repeat violations, operators generally invest in regular fair housing training and internal compliance reviews.
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 et seq. § 41-1491.35 provides a pathway for Arizona's Attorney General to act on behalf of the public when housing rights violations appear to be systemic or of broad public concern, which can benefit tenants who may not be in a position to pursue individual litigation alone. Tenants who believe they have experienced a pattern of discriminatory treatment may consider reporting their experiences to the Attorney General's office or a tenant-rights organization, which can help determine whether a situation warrants broader investigation. This provision also allows courts to award monetary damages and attorney fees, meaning that enforcement actions brought under § 41-1491.35 can result in meaningful relief for affected individuals.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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