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Scottsdale, AZ Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Short-term rental permit rules in Scottsdale, AZ, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

Ordinance
4566 / SRC 18-175
Annual Fee
$250 per property
TPT License
Required (ADOR)
County Reg
ARS 33-1902 (Assessor)
Max Occupancy
6 adults + children
Neighbor Notice
Within 30 days
Code Enforcement
480-312-2546

Summary

Scottsdale Ordinance 4566 (Article IX, Chapter 18 - SRC 18-175) requires every short-term/vacation rental property to obtain an annual city license at $250 per property, plus an Arizona Department of Revenue TPT license and Maricopa County Assessor registration under ARS 33-1902. Owners must designate a 24-hour emergency contact and notify adjacent neighbors within 30 days of licensing.

B. A city or town may not restrict the use of or regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals based on their classification, use or occupancy except as provided in this section. A city or town may regulate vacation rentals or short-term rentals as follows: 1. To protect the public's health and safety, including rules and regulations related to fire and building codes, health and sanitation, transportation or traffic control and solid or hazardous waste and pollution control, if the city or town demonstrates that the rule or regulation is for the primary purpose of protecting the public's health and safety. 2. To adopt and enforce use and zoning ordinances, including ordinances related to noise, protection of welfare, property maintenance

Source: Scottsdale Vacation and Short Term RentalsView official code

Full Breakdown

Under Scottsdale Ordinance 4566, codified in Article IX of Chapter 18 of the Scottsdale Revised Code (SRC 18-175), every property rented for periods of less than 30 days must hold an active city short-term/vacation rental license. The annual license fee is $250 per property, regardless of how many nights it is actually rented, and renewals are processed through the city's Accela online portal. Operators must also hold a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license from the Arizona Department of Revenue and register the rental with the Maricopa County Assessor as required by ARS 33-1902 before listing.

All dwelling units and any accessory guest houses on the parcel must be rented or offered together; splitting them into separate listings is prohibited. Maximum overnight occupancy is six adults plus dependent children. The owner must designate an emergency point of contact reachable 24 hours per day and, within 30 days of receiving the license, mail written notice to all adjacent single-family property owners (and to multi-family residents on the same floor) listing the STR license number, property address, and the emergency contact's name, address, and 24-hour phone number. Confirm current fee amounts and license status with Scottsdale Code Enforcement at 480-312-2546.

Violations & Fines

Operating without a city STR license, failing to register with ADOR or Maricopa County, splitting accessory units into separate listings, or skipping the 30-day neighbor notification violates SRC 18-175 and Ordinance 4566 and is enforced by Scottsdale Code Enforcement, which may suspend or revoke the license and assess civil penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a city license to run an Airbnb in Scottsdale?
Yes. Scottsdale Ordinance 4566, codified at SRC 18-175, requires every property rented for less than 30 days to hold an annual city short-term/vacation rental license. The fee is $250 per property and the application is processed through the city's Accela portal. You also need an Arizona Department of Revenue TPT license and Maricopa County Assessor registration under ARS 33-1902. Confirm current requirements with Scottsdale Code Enforcement at 480-312-2546.
Do I have to notify my neighbors when I get a Scottsdale STR license?
Yes. Within 30 days of receiving the city STR license, owners must send written notice to every adjacent single-family property owner and to multi-family residents on the same floor. The notice must include the STR license number, the property address, and the name, address, and 24-hour phone number of the emergency point of contact. Failing to notify can lead to enforcement action by Scottsdale Code Enforcement (480-312-2546).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Scottsdale

All Scottsdale rules

How Scottsdale compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Scottsdale to another location·View the Arizona short-term rentals overview

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