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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Scottsdale, AZ

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

Allowed by state law and permitted by-right in Scottsdale residential districts subject to city licensing and operational conditions. Owners must rent the entire dwelling (including any accessory guest house) together, occupancy is capped at a maximum family size of 6 adults and related dependent children, must register with Maricopa County per ARS 33-1902, provide a 24-hour emergency contact, maintain liability insurance of at least $500,000, and perform neighbor notification within 30 days of licensure.

How to Obtain a Permit

1) Obtain an Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license from the Department of Revenue. 2) Apply for a Scottsdale license via the Accela online portal, providing property/owner info and paying the $250 annual fee. 3) Within 30 days of issuance, notify neighbors and upload the required attestation, and ensure the property is registered with Maricopa County.

Regulatory Updates — Scottsdale

Proposed and recent legislation

PassedSeptember 2022

Arizona STR Preemption Law — ARS 9-500.39

Arizona's STR preemption law (effective 2017, updated 2022) prevents cities and counties from prohibiting STRs or enacting regulations that are more restrictive than state law. Scottsdale and other cities retain the ability to regulate noise, nuisance, and occupancy, but cannot ban STRs in residential zones.

Official source
PassedApril 2024

Scottsdale STR Nuisance Ordinance — Enhanced Penalties

Scottsdale updated its nuisance ordinance to impose stricter fines for STR-related noise and party complaints. Three substantiated complaints within 12 months can result in license suspension. The city has designated STR enforcement officers.

Official source
PassedJuly 2024

Proposed 6-Adult Occupancy Cap Legal Challenge

A coalition of STR operators challenged the state's 6-adults-per-bedroom occupancy cap as an unreasonable restriction on property rights. The Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the cap in 2024, finding it within the state's regulatory authority.

Official Resources

Official Scottsdale STR regulation source

Local Resources & Advocacy

Arizona Short-Term Rental Association (AzSTRA)Statewide

Statewide organization representing Arizona STR hosts and managers. Played a key role in drafting and defending Arizona's preemption law and monitors municipal enforcement patterns.

Scottsdale Area Association of RealtorsLocal

The local Realtor association tracks Scottsdale STR regulations and provides resources for members who own or manage STR properties.

Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA)National

National trade association with strong Arizona chapter presence, monitoring state preemption law developments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Scottsdale, AZ?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Scottsdale, AZ, but with restrictions. Allowed by state law and permitted by-right in Scottsdale residential districts subject to city licensing and operational conditions. Owners must rent the entire dwelling (including any accessory guest house) together, occupancy is capped at a maximum family size of 6 adults and related dependent children, must register with Maricopa County per ARS 33-1902, provide a 24-hour emergency contact, maintain liability insurance of at least $500,000, and perform neighbor notification within 30 days of licensure. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Scottsdale, AZ?
Allowed by state law and permitted by-right in Scottsdale residential districts subject to city licensing and operational conditions. Owners must rent the entire dwelling (including any accessory guest house) together, occupancy is capped at a maximum family size of 6 adults and related dependent children, must register with Maricopa County per ARS 33-1902, provide a 24-hour emergency contact, maintain liability insurance of at least $500,000, and perform neighbor notification within 30 days of licensure.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Scottsdale?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Scottsdale. 1) Obtain an Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license from the Department of Revenue. 2) Apply for a Scottsdale license via the Accela online portal, providing property/owner info and paying the $250 annual fee. 3) Within 30 days of issuance, notify neighbors and upload the required attestation, and ensure the property is registered with Maricopa County.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Scottsdale?
1) Obtain an Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license from the Department of Revenue. 2) Apply for a Scottsdale license via the Accela online portal, providing property/owner info and paying the $250 annual fee. 3) Within 30 days of issuance, notify neighbors and upload the required attestation, and ensure the property is registered with Maricopa County.
Is Vrbo legal in Scottsdale, AZ?
Vrbo is permitted in Scottsdale, AZ under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Scottsdale?
Short-term rental hosts in Scottsdale are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Scottsdale?
The most recent tracked change in Scottsdale is "Arizona STR Preemption Law — ARS 9-500.39" (2022-09-01, status: passed). Arizona's STR preemption law (effective 2017, updated 2022) prevents cities and counties from prohibiting STRs or enacting regulations that are more restrictive than state law. Scottsdale and other cities retain the ability to regulate noise, nuisance, and occupancy, but cannot ban STRs in residential zones. See the regulatory updates section on this page for the full history.
Can Scottsdale ban short-term rentals?
No. Arizona's state preemption law (ARS 9-500.39) prevents Scottsdale and other Arizona municipalities from prohibiting STRs in residential areas. The city can regulate STRs through nuisance ordinances, noise rules, and occupancy standards, but cannot enact an outright ban. This makes Arizona — and Scottsdale specifically — one of the most legally stable STR markets in the country.
What registration is required to operate an STR in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale STR operators must (1) obtain an Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license from the Arizona Department of Revenue, (2) register the property with Maricopa County as a vacation rental, and (3) comply with Scottsdale's local STR registration requirements. Failure to register properly can result in fines and loss of operating authority even under the state's preemption protections.
What is the occupancy limit for STRs in Scottsdale?
Arizona state law caps STR occupancy at the greater of (a) 6 adults, or (b) 2 adults per bedroom. For a 3-bedroom home, the maximum would be 6 adults (the lower of the two thresholds). This is a statewide rule that Scottsdale cannot override. Additional occupancy restrictions may apply during major events under Scottsdale's special event ordinances.
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Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction