Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Scottsdale?

Yes. Scottsdale requires Vacation Rental License (Short-Term/Vacation Rental License), and the fee is $250. Short-term rentals are legal throughout Scottsdale (Arizona state law bars cities from prohibiting them), but every property rented for less than 30 days must hold an annual City of Scottsdale vacation rental license ($250 per property per year), plus a state TPT license and Maricopa County rental registration. There are no owner-occupancy, night-cap, or per-owner limits; the biggest restrictions are strict operational rules — $500,000 liability insurance, neighbor notification, sex-offender checks on booking guests, and a ban on commercial/event-center use that was significantly strengthened by Ordinance 4719 effective July 23, 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Scottsdale?

The Vacation Rental License (Short-Term/Vacation Rental License) fee in Scottsdale is $250, renewed annual. Non-refundable $250 fee per property with every application and renewal (SRC Sec. 18-152); $250 is the maximum allowed under A.R.S. 9-500.39. An additional $1,000 penalty applies for every 30-day period an owner fails to apply after written notice from the city.

How to get a short-term rental permit in Scottsdale, AZ (2026)

Scottsdale requires Vacation Rental License (Short-Term/Vacation Rental License) — the fee is $250, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.

Permit at a glance

Permit required	Yes
Permit name	Vacation Rental License (Short-Term/Vacation Rental License)
Permit fee	$250
Renewal	Annual

Step by step

1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. STRs are permitted in all residential zones; A.R.S. 9-500.39 preempts Arizona cities from prohibiting STRs or restricting them based on classification, use or occupancy except as enumerated, so Scottsdale imposes no zone-based bans, night caps, minimum stays, or per-owner unit caps. Occupancy is limited to a single family of one to six adults plus their related dependent children (per the required posted notice referencing Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance Appendix B Sec. 3.100). Non-residential uses are prohibited: retail, restaurant, event center or banquet space, sober living homes, adult-oriented businesses, liquor/pornography sales, housing sex offenders, and special events that would otherwise require a permit. Ordinance 4719 (effective July 23, 2026) adds a definition of 'event center' to strengthen enforcement against weddings, corporate events, and ticketed or promoter-driven parties at STRs.
2
Apply for the Vacation Rental License (Short-Term/Vacation Rental License)
Submit the Vacation Rental License (Short-Term/Vacation Rental License) application to Scottsdale and pay the $250 fee. Non-refundable $250 fee per property with every application and renewal (SRC Sec. 18-152); $250 is the maximum allowed under A.R.S. 9-500.39. An additional $1,000 penalty applies for every 30-day period an owner fails to apply after written notice from the city.
3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Scottsdale. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.

STR rules change without warning.

Get an email the moment Scottsdale changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

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Verified July 10, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Scottsdale before applying.

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