Tempe plans to file charges seeking to suspend a city-issued license against the owners of a short-term rental property where shots were fired at a May 21 party.

It would be the first suspension of a short-term rental license since a stronger city ordinance went into effect March 5.

Deputy City Manager Tom Duensing said the infractions at the property in the 1900 block of East Los Arboles appear to be serious enough to qualify for the highest possible penalty, which is suspension of the license, Tempe officials stated in a release.

The house was the location of a “loud party” that ended with several shots being fired at about 3:45 a.m. May 21, according to the release.

Tempe police responded and, as a result of a search warrant, seized firearms and other items, authorities said.

Property owners are responsible for ensuring that renters comply with all applicable rules and regulations, according to the release.

“These regulations were developed to preserve safety and quality of life in Tempe’s neighborhoods,” Duensing said. “It is our intention to enforce the ordinance.”

Tempe’s ordinance allows for license suspension of up to one year for “any attempted or completed felony act, arising from the occupancy or use of a short-term rental.”

The city has sent a letter to the property owner that serves as a notice of intent to file charges.

“It is anticipated that actual charges will be filed by the Tempe City Attorney’s Office with the Tempe municipal court. A judge would then determine whether the license will be suspended,” the release stated.

“We are sorry that residents endured this incident in what is supposed to be the quiet calm of their own neighborhood,” Mayor Corey Woods said.

“We acted as a council earlier this year to require city licenses for short-term rentals, and we did that to hold property owners accountable to the fullest extent we could under Arizona law.”

Tempe has 520 licensed short-term rental properties.

Owners of short-term rental properties are required by Tempe ordinance to have a license and follow a number of requirements, such as sex offender background checks, neighbor notification and more.

For more: tempe.gov/ShortTermRentals.