Arizona requires front side windows to let at least 33% of light through, while the back side windows and rear window have no VLT minimum at all — a big part of why Phoenix and Tucson shops sell so much dark rear tint. Reflectivity on every window is capped at 35%, and red or amber tint is banned outright. This comes from Arizona Revised Statutes 28-959.01.
Arizona VLT limits by window
- Front side windows (driver + front passenger): must allow at least 33% VLT (±3% tolerance).
- Back side windows and rear window: no VLT minimum — any darkness is legal, provided the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides giving a clear view at least 200 feet to the rear.
- Windshield: non-reflective tint only, allowed above the AS-1 line near the top edge of the glass.
- Reflectivity and color: capped at 35% luminous reflectance on all windows; red and amber tints are prohibited outright.
Medical exemptions
Arizona allows a medical exemption for drivers or passengers with a documented light-sensitivity condition, certified by a physician. As with most states, the certification needs to be kept in the vehicle, and the exemption typically covers side and rear windows rather than the windshield strip.
Enforcement and penalties
Illegal tint is a civil traffic violation in Arizona, cited with a handheld photometer reading at a stop. Enforcement intensity varies — it's noticeably lighter in most of the state outside the Phoenix and Tucson metros.
What this means when you're quoting a job
Arizona's unrestricted rear window is a real selling point for a state with 110°F summers, but the 33% front floor plus the 35% reflectivity cap still catch installers who default to whatever's popular in a stricter neighboring state. A window tint shop software tool with Arizona's actual front-window and reflectivity limits in the quote builder keeps a heat-focused sale from accidentally becoming an illegal one up front.
Frequently asked questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Arizona? Front side windows must allow at least 33% VLT. Back side windows and the rear window have no VLT minimum, so any darkness is legal there.
Is 5% tint legal in Arizona? Not on the front side windows — 5% is well under the 33% floor. It's legal on the back side windows and rear window, which have no minimum.
Can I get mirrored or reflective tint in Arizona? Only up to 35% luminous reflectance on any window, and red or amber tint is banned outright regardless of reflectivity.
Is Arizona tint enforcement strict? Enforcement is generally light statewide and heavier in the Phoenix and Tucson metros, though the legal minimum itself doesn't change by city.
Do I need dual mirrors for dark rear tint in Arizona? Yes — outside mirrors on both sides of the vehicle giving a clear rear view of at least 200 feet are required for a dark or unrestricted rear window.
This is general information based on Arizona's public statutes and reporting on A.R.S. 28-959.01, not legal advice — enforcement can vary and laws change over time, so confirm specifics with the Arizona MVD or a licensed attorney before you install, buy, or contest a citation.
Related
- State-by-state window tint laws (VLT limits) - Arizona shop market + VLT summary - Window tint percentages: what VLT, 5%, 20%, 35% mean - California window tint law: VLT limits & exemptions