Scottsdale requires short-term and vacation rental owners to complete city licensing in addition to Arizona tax registration. This page is a checklist of the common steps, not legal advice. Rules, fees, and forms change. Always confirm details on the official City of Scottsdale and Arizona Department of Revenue pages linked here.

1. Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license

Short-term lodging income is subject to Arizona transaction privilege tax. Owners typically register for a TPT license with the Arizona Department of Revenue before applying for the city license. Scottsdale’s owner guidance asks you to list Scottsdale as a region code on that license.

2. City of Scottsdale short-term rental license

For each Scottsdale property offered for short stays, the city requires an annual short-term / vacation rental license. The city’s owner page explains the process, including account setup and the documents you will need. Your TPT number is part of that application.

3. Emergency contact and neighbor notice

Scottsdale’s licensing process includes emergency contact information for the property and neighbor notification requirements. The city publishes attestation and neighbor-notice materials on the same vacation rental pages. Use those official forms and instructions rather than a third-party summary when you file or update contacts.

If you use a local host or manager, make sure the emergency contact listed with the city is someone who can actually respond. That detail matters to neighbors and to the city as much as it matters to guests.

Where Snowbirdian Hospitality fits

We help owners think through hosting for stays of 31 nights or fewer, and on full-service plans we can help with tax license setup and filings as part of the work. We are not the city, and we are not a tax advisor. You remain responsible for accurate registrations and for reading the current rules on the official sites above.

When you want help with the hosting itself, start with a quote on Services & Plans. For area context, see Scottsdale Airbnb management.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Keep records as you go

Save confirmations from AZTaxes, your Scottsdale license approval, and a copy of whatever neighbor notice or attestation the city asks for at the time you file. When emergency contacts change, update the city and your listing platforms together so guests, neighbors, and the license file all point to the same person.

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