low-slung desert-modern home with smooth stucco walls and a flat roof in Scottsdale, Arizona

Permit required

Short-term rental laws in Scottsdale, AZ

Last updated 2026-05-22·Source: City of Scottsdale STR Licensing / AZ A.R.S. §9-500.39

The current rules

What Scottsdale actually requires

Arizona’s A.R.S. §9-500.39 prevents cities from banning short-term rentals outright, so Scottsdale regulates rather than prohibits.

Operators must hold a Scottsdale STR license, register for Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT), carry $500k liability coverage, and post a 24/7 local contact.

Nuisance, occupancy, and noise rules are actively enforced; repeat violations can suspend a license. There is no annual night cap, so projected revenue is not haircut — but a permit gate applies.

Does it still pencil?

A $665,000 3BR at 25% down

1.55×cap-adjusted STR DSCR

Pencils — 9 STR lenders clear the floor at this ratio.

Run your Scottsdale address

FAQ

Scottsdale STR-law questions

Is short-term rental legal in Scottsdale?

Short-term rentals are legal statewide under Arizona law, but Scottsdale requires a city STR license, a 24/7 local emergency contact, posted occupancy limits, and TPT registration. Operating without a license carries escalating fines. (Source: City of Scottsdale STR Licensing / AZ A.R.S. §9-500.39, as of 2026-05-22.) Always confirm current rules with the jurisdiction before purchasing.

How much does an Airbnb make in Scottsdale?

A typical 3-bedroom projects around $78,000/yr from 18 comparable listings within 1 mi, trailing 12 months (AirROI + Rabbu comps). Revenue scales with bedroom count and amenities; lenders verify via Form 1007 or operating statements.

What permit do I need for an STR in Scottsdale?

Scottsdale requires a city short-term-rental permit/license, and zoning can restrict where a non-owner-occupied (investor) STR may operate. Confirm permit eligibility for the specific parcel before underwriting — it’s the gate here, not a night cap.

Will the rules in Scottsdale change?

Likely — STR ordinances are moving city by city in 2026. This page was last checked 2026-05-22; we re-check on a monthly minimum and on ordinance events. Confirm the current rule with Scottsdale before closing.

Can I get a DSCR loan on an Airbnb with no rental history?

Yes. 9 of the 10 STR lenders we track qualify the loan on a market revenue projection (AirDNA/Rabbu) or an appraiser’s Form 1007 short-term-rent schedule, so no operating history is required for many programs.

What DSCR do STR lenders require?

Most set a floor around 1.0 on the cap-adjusted DSCR (revenue ÷ PITIA). Some offer no-ratio or sub-1.0 STR programs at a premium for thinner deals. The engine shows your ratio against each lender’s specific floor.

How current is this information?

Revenue and rate figures render from the data layer with an “as of” date; STR legality is re-checked on a monthly minimum and on ordinance events, because stale legality is worse than none. Every status shows when it was last checked and a source to verify.

Scottsdale feasibility All cities STR → MTR pivot

Legality: Short-term-rental rules change frequently and vary by city, county, and HOA. Legality shown reflects publicly available sources as of the date displayed; it is not legal advice or a permitting determination. Confirm current rules, permits, and HOA/condo restrictions with the local jurisdiction before purchasing.

Revenue: Projected revenue is an estimate from comparable listings and is not a forecast of your results. Lenders independently verify income, typically via appraisal (Form 1007/1008) or 12-month statements. This is not a loan decision or offer.

Run a Scottsdale address before you buy.

Free · No credit pull · Legality included · Not a call center.

Check the Address