Scottsdale, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 18 defines a nuisance party at Sec. 18-122 as an assembly for a social activity or special occasion that substantially disturbs the quiet enjoyment of private or public property, including excessive noise or traffic, obstruction of streets by crowds or vehicles, public drunkenness, service of alcohol to minors, fights, disturbances of the peace or litter. , audible beyond the property line, is presumed excessive. Sec. 18-124 makes it unlawful for any responsible person, a category that includes owners, occupants, tenants, tenants' guests, sponsors, promoters, hosts and organizers, to permit a nuisance party or unlawful gathering, with civil fines of $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,000 for a first through fourth-or-later offense within a year.

Sec. 18-125 layers a second, steeper fine schedule directly on owners who intentionally, knowingly or recklessly permit the party, running from $750 up to $2,500 for a fourth offense. Sec. 18-132 gives a Scottsdale police officer at the scene authority to order everyone not residing at the property to leave, post a notice barring re-entry for eight hours, and treat a return within that window, or a refusal to leave, as a class three misdemeanor. For short-term rentals specifically, Sec. 18-175(h) requires every listing to post a laminated notice on the interior of the front door and the door leading to the backyard warning that a nuisance party or unruly gathering, including excessive noise, is a prohibited use of the property, and Sec.

18-172 separately fines an owner or emergency contact who fails to respond in person within one hour when police or fire respond to a party call, at $500 for failing to respond and $250 for arriving late.