Scottsdale Short-Term Rental Laws (2026)
Permits, taxes, caps, and penalties for Airbnb & vacation rentals in Scottsdale, Arizona — from official sources, with citations. Reviewed 2026-07-02.
STRs Permitted
Scottsdale can't ban STRs under Arizona state law, but every rental under 30 days needs a $250 annual city license and must follow the city's safety, notification, and no-party rules.
Can you operate a short-term rental in Scottsdale?
Arizona state law prevents cities from prohibiting short-term rentals, so STRs are legal in Scottsdale in any residential neighborhood. The city's leverage is licensing: Ordinance 4566 requires a city license for each property rented for less than 30 days, plus safety, health, and neighbor-notification compliance. A separate ordinance bans using STRs as event venues.
City license required
All properties offered for rent for less than 30 days require a Scottsdale license — one license per property, renewed annually.
State preemption
Arizona law generally bars cities from banning STRs outright, which is why Scottsdale regulates through licensing and conduct rules instead of zoning prohibitions.
No commercial events
STRs cannot be used as commercial event venues — weddings, corporate events, and large parties are prohibited.
Sex offender background checks
STR operators must conduct sex offender background checks on guests, as authorized by Arizona SB 1168.
Permits & licenses in Scottsdale
License through the Scottsdale EZ portal, keep a current emergency contact on file, and notify your neighbors. Renewal is annual.
- 1
Get an Arizona TPT license
Register with the Arizona Department of Revenue for transaction privilege tax before or alongside your city license.
- 2
Apply via Scottsdale EZ
Submit the STR license application for each rental property through the city's Scottsdale EZ online portal.
- 3
Designate an emergency contact
Only one emergency contact can be current at a time; if it changes, you must update your city license and re-notify neighbors.
- 4
Notify the neighborhood
Owners must provide property and contact information to neighbors as part of the city's notification requirements.
- 5
Renew annually
The license must be renewed every year for each property.
Fees: $250 annual license fee per property.
Short-term rental taxes in Scottsdale
Short stays in Scottsdale are hit with the city's 1.7% privilege (sales) tax plus a 5.0% transient lodging tax, and state/county transaction privilege tax on top — all licensed and filed through the Arizona Department of Revenue's TPT system.
| Level | Tax | Rate | Collected by | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City | Scottsdale transaction privilege (sales) tax on rentals | 1.7% | Varies | Via Arizona TPT filing (AZDOR); platforms remit for marketplace bookings |
| City | Scottsdale transient lodging tax (stays of 29 days or less) | 5.0% | Varies | Via Arizona TPT filing (AZDOR) |
| State | Arizona TPT (lodging classification) | see source (5.6% general state rate; lodging classification rates per AZDOR rate chart) | Varies | Via AZDOR TPT return |
| County | Maricopa County TPT | see source (0.7% general rate; lodging rates per rate chart) | Varies | Via AZDOR TPT return |
These rules change — Scottsdale can amend them any month.
Compliance Watch monitors Scottsdale's official sources and emails you the day permits, caps, or taxes change: what changed, old vs. new, and what to do. $49/yr per property, 100% credited toward Tenby.
Watch my AZ property →Operating rules
No events or parties
Weddings, corporate events, and large parties are banned at STRs under Ordinance 4719.
§ Scottsdale Ordinance 4719
Current emergency contact
Keep exactly one current emergency/management contact on file with the city, and re-notify neighbors whenever it changes.
§ Scottsdale STR license requirements
Guest background screening
Run sex offender background checks on guests before their stay, per SB 1168 and city licensing requirements.
§ SB 1168
Good neighbor standards
The city publishes Good Neighbor Guides for owners and residents covering noise, trash, parking, and occupancy expectations for licensed STRs.
§ Scottsdale STR Good Neighbor Guide
Penalties for illegal short-term rentals in Scottsdale
Operating unlicensed or violating the event ban exposes you to city fines and license consequences; specific fine amounts apply under the ordinances (see source).
- ⚠Renting under 30 days without a Scottsdale license violates Ordinance 4566.
- ⚠Using an STR as an event venue violates Ordinance 4719.
- ⚠The city maintains an STR Resource Center (str.scottsdaleaz.gov) and complaint channels for neighbor-reported violations.
Official sources
- [1]Vacation and Short Term Rentals — City of Scottsdale
- [2]Business & Regulatory Licenses — City of Scottsdale
- [3]Taxes — City of Scottsdale
- [4]Transient Lodging (Short-Term Rental) Tax Brochure — City of Scottsdale
- [5]Short-Term Rental Resource Center — City of Scottsdale
- [6]Good Neighbor Guide for STR Owners — City of Scottsdale
Summarized from the official sources above as of 2026-07-02. Informational, not legal advice — always confirm requirements with the jurisdiction before acting.
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