Business Licensing & Operations in Surprise, AZ (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Surprise, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Surprise requires anyone operating or working at an adult service business, cabaret, or adult video facility to hold a sexually oriented business license or manager permit under City Code § 26-137. Section 26-143 bars adult services between 1:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., requires providers to perform on a raised, barricaded stage, and bans touching between employees and patrons.
Surprise Adult Service Business License Rules
Significant RestrictionsSurprise City Code §§ 26-137, 26-143
(a)No person shall operate a sexually oriented business without a valid sexually oriented business license, issued by the city for the particular type of business. (Sec. 26-143)(a)An adult service business, an adult service provider, and a manager, employee or patron of an adult service business shall comply with the following operating requirements:...(4)A person may not provide an adult servi...
Massage Establishments
Surprise requires every massage establishment to hold a city license issued under City Code § 26-97, backed by fingerprint-based state and FBI background checks under § 26-100. Section 26-101 bars a license for anyone convicted of a felony, moral-turpitude offense, or drug crime within the past five years, and requires an on-site inspection before opening.
Surprise Massage Establishment License Requirements
Significant RestrictionsSurprise City Code § 26-101(a)-(b)
(a)A massage establishment may require an inspection of the site before the license is issued to ensure that the establishment complies with each and all of the following requirements:(1)A readable sign...shall be posted at the main entrance identifying the establishment.(2)Lighting and ventilation shall be provided in each room or enclosure where services are performed on patrons...(3)Adequate...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Surprise requires every tattoo and body piercing establishment and artist to hold a city license under City Code §§ 26-179 and 26-180, backed by fingerprint background checks. Section 26-185 makes it a class six felony to brand, scarify, tattoo, or pierce anyone under 16, and a class 1 misdemeanor to work or operate without a valid license.
Surprise Tattoo & Body Piercing License Rules
Significant RestrictionsSurprise City Code §§ 26-179, 26-185
(a)No tattoo and/or body piercing establishment license shall be issued or renewed, except in conjunction with one or more tattoo and/or body piercing artist licenses, or unless inspection of the site indicates the proposed establishment complies with each and all of the following requirements:...(7)Establishments must have a posted procedure, followed by all employees, wherein they are require...
Secondhand Dealers
Surprise requires every secondhand dealer and auction house to file an electronic report with the city's LeadsOnline system for each item worth more than $500 received by purchase, trade, consignment or pawn. The report is due within 24 hours of the transaction, and the dealer must hold the item for 10 days and keep records on-site for six months under City Code Sec. 26-230.
Surprise Secondhand Dealer Reporting Rules
Some RestrictionsSurprise City Code § 26-230(a)-(b)
(a)Every person, engaged in the business of either a secondhand dealer or auction house shall make out at the time of the transaction a true, complete and legible report of each good or article with a fair market value in excess of $500.00 received on deposit or consignment, trade or exchange, or by purchase. The report shall be made electronically using the city's leads online reporting system...
Pawnbrokers
Surprise pawnbrokers must electronically report every pawn, pledge, trade or purchase transaction worth more than $25 to the city within 24 hours, post a state-mandated notice sign about the reporting law, and hold purchased property for 10 days before reselling it, under City Code Sec. 26-231.
Surprise Pawnbroker Reporting Requirements
Some RestrictionsSurprise City Code § 26-231(a)-(b)
(a)Every person, except non-profit organization, engaged in the business of pawnbroker shall make out at the time of the transaction a true, complete and legible report of each good or article with a fair market value in excess of $25.00 received on deposit or consignment, in pawn, pledge, trade or exchange or by purchase. The report shall be made electronically using the city's leads online re...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Surprise won't let you run a vehicle repair or paint business out of your house. Land Development Ordinance Sec. 106-10.23(C)(4) puts motor vehicle repair, paint shops, restoration, conversion, and engine repair on the list of uses barred from qualifying as a home occupation, with one narrow exception for a resident's own personally owned vehicle.
Surprise Bans Home-Based Auto Repair Shops
Heavy RestrictionsSurprise Land Development Ordinance § 106-10.23(C), (C)(4)
The following uses have a pronounced tendency, once started, to rapidly increase beyond the limits permitted for home occupations and thereby impair the use and value of a residentially zoned area for residential purposes. Therefore, the following uses shall not be permitted as home occupations: ... Motor vehicle repair or paint shops, storage, restoration or conversion, engine repair or simila...
Towing Companies
Surprise caps what private towing carriers can charge for non-consent tows under City Code Sec. 54-117. The city council sets maximum rates by resolution at least every five years, no fee outside that fee schedule is allowed, and carriers must post the rates and accept credit or debit cards with no surcharge.
Surprise Non-Consent Towing Fee Rules
Some RestrictionsSurprise City Code § 54-117
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 9-499.05 and this chapter, private towing carriers within this city shall be subject to such maximum charges and fees as the council shall establish by resolution (see fee schedule) at least every five years. A private towing carrier is subject to such maximum charges and fees and other regulations established in this section if the vehicle is being towed, transported, immo...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Surprise city rules.
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