Arizona forced residency - coronavirus non travel?

1) Find the actual source law for the 9 month rule. I'm betting a weekend out in December doesn't reset anything if you were in the state the prior 7-8 months.
2) I doubt this is going to be a high priority for the state to chase down right now and you could likely claim force majour.

If nothing else, it's bad political optics to use the virus lockdown in this manner. Arizona gets a lot of money from old folks spending a few months in the state...attacks on those old folks aren't good marketing.

Arizona already has a bit of history in wanting extended snowbirds to become residents.

I read in the Arizona driver's license handbook that one is considered a resident after seven months. Nine months is new to me.

I know of no way for AZ to enforce it. My guess is that one would have to have a complaint filed against them, be in some kind of accident, lawsuit or extended medical stay.

It could also be to prevent cross-border sales tax evasion issues. That law is on the books for a reason - but probably not for law abiding temporary visitors.

bighatnohorse wrote:
I read in the Arizona driver's license handbook that one is considered a resident after seven months. Nine months is new to me.

I know of no way for AZ to enforce it. My guess is that one would have to have a complaint filed against them, be in some kind of accident, lawsuit or extended medical stay.

It could also be to prevent cross-border sales tax evasion issues. That law is on the books for a reason - but probably not for law abiding temporary visitors.

Yes, there is a bit if conflict in the Arizona code. Drivers License is 7 months and residency is 9 months. LEO that see one at grocery stores in the middle of the summer this year with out of state plates will "know who you are!"

Here is AZ statement about driver licenses: Am I able to drive in AZ with my out-of-country driver's license?
To be able to drive in Arizona with your out-of-country license you must not be working in Arizona, registered to vote in Arizona, staying in Arizona for more than 7 months, and you must not own a business based in Arizona.

So it would appear that being out of the state of AZ for a short period would reset the drivers license require.

“Question is will we be forced to become Arizona residents,..” This is your top concern?

“This may sort a force us to travel out of state later this spring.” Please reconsider this UNnecessary travel.

Having lived in AZ for 31 years this is my understanding. As long as vehicle registration and driver's license are from the same state there will be no issue. We had many people move here and be required to get an AZ driver's license to work. They would leave the car registered in the home state if their registration fees and insurance were cheaper. It was easy for LE to distinguish these people during a traffic stop. I know many tickets were issued.

In your situation I assume that the vehicle and your DL are both WA state so how does anyone know how long you have been here? While LE may ask,and that is highly unlikely, you are under no obligation to answer, just don't lie. The bigger issue is the coming heat. At some point in the near future it will be way too hot for RV life in AZ. You may have to move to a higher elevation or head home to avoid this.
RichH

My question is who in the government is watching you that closely with a stop watch and calendar in hand declaring you a resident when your time is up? In these extraordinary times, I would not worry about it. Just stay until you feel safe traveling. Now if you stay two or three years, then......

DownTheAvenue wrote:
My question is who in the government is watching you that closely with a stop watch and calendar in hand declaring you a resident when your time is up? In these extraordinary times, I would not worry about it. Just stay until you feel safe traveling. Now if you stay two or three years, then......

Short answer is the tax collectors!

I wonder how they would know you haven't left for a while and returned, or that you are even in AZ in the first place. Although it has been a while since I visited AZ but I do not recall ever having to register when I crossed the border. I doubt a tax collector would be able to produce enough evidence to obtain cell phone records. :B

Dave

If you are a high income earner you are the perfect storm for Arizona to chase you down if you stay beyond their residency exemption periods. Arizona will cast a much brighter light on people who claim residency in low tax states yet spend all their time in Arizona. Washington residency as shown by driver's and vehicle licenses, with it's lack of a state income tax would be a major target