Business & Regulatory Licenses

All Businesses located in the city of Scottsdale require a Business Registration License and may require an additional Regulatory License.

Business Registration Licensing

Service License

Steps to obtain a Business Registration License (Service)

1. Complete license application and return it by mail along with a check for the $12.00 application Fee and $50.00 license Fee or apply in person at 7447 E Indian School Road, Ste 110. Applications submitted after the start date of a business are subject to a $25 late penalty per license year.
2. Once all Fees are paid, a license will be printed and mailed to your business. The license is to be displayed at the business location.

Merchant License

Steps to obtain a Business Registration License (Merchant)

1. Complete license application and return it by mail or apply in person at 7447 E Indian School Road, Ste 110.
2. Attach a copy of your current ADOR TPT license showing Scottsdale (SC) as a region code.
3. A license will then be printed and mailed to your business. The license is to be displayed at the business location.

For assistance in determining if your activity is taxable please view sales tax information.

Eligibility for License:

Under Arizona Revised Statute 41-1080, you may be required to produce documentation of your legal right to work in the United States. If you are an individual applying for a license or permit, you must fill out and sign the Licensing Eligibility Checklist (PDF) and submit it along with your application. The required documents must be presented in person or if sending by mail, please call 480-312-2400 for further instructions.

License Payments

If you have your billing statement showing the total amount due, you can pay for the following online:

• Alarm Statement
• Alarm User Permit Renewal
• Auction House License Renewal
• Auctioneer License Renewal
• Business Registration Service License Renewal
• Delinquent Alarm Activation Statement
• Liquor License Renewal
• Liquor Statement
• Magic Arts License Renewal
• Second Hand License Renewal

List of New Business Licenses

The city publishes weekly reports listing new business licenses.

List of Licenses

Per City Ordinance, all business/individuals conducting business within the city of Scottsdale need to be licensed.

Adult Service Provider

Person who provides an adult service (as defined in Article VII. Sec.16-237 of Scottsdale Revised Code)

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $100 Initial Application and renewal Fee
• $10 City Fingerprinting Fee
• $ State fingerprinting processing Fee: As set by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• $10 Duplicate of Permit or Identification Card

After-Hours Establishments

Any business which is open to patrons during the hours of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. which is the business premises of a state on-sale retail liquor licensee and where dancing or live entertainment may occur.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $500 Application Fee
• $500 License Fee (prorated per quarter for initial year)
• $25 Fingerprint Fee
• $10 Duplicate License Fee

Additional Requirements:

Evidence of Arizona Department of Revenue Sales Tax license listing the region code of Scottsdale (SC)

Alarm Users

Any person who purchases, leases, contracts for, or otherwise obtains for use an alarm system and who is responsible for the premises where an alarm system is located must have a permit.

Auction House / Auctioneer

Auction House Any person operating a place of business where property is received from other persons or businesses, when such property is to be sold to third parties, by auction. Auctioneer A person who runs a public sale where tangible property is sold to the highest bidder.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $200 Initial License Fee, $100 annually thereafter
• $ State fingerprinting processing Fee: As set by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• $10 City Fingerprint Fee (If prints taken in License Registration office)
• $10 Duplicate License Fee (mailed license copy)

Automated Kiosk

An interactive device that is installed within a retail space at which used consumer electronic devices are sold, traded, recycled, or otherwise received by a person.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $500 License Fee per kiosk
• $ State fingerprinting processing Fee: As set by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• $100 Late Application Fee
• $10 Duplicate License Fee (mailed license copy)

Business Termination / Close Out Sales

Additional license required for those companies which are going out of business.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $25 Application Fee
• 10 Renewal Fee (One time for an additional 30 days)

Additional Requirements

• Copy of all advertisements
• Facts about the cause of the sale. (Bankruptcy, foreclosure etc)
• Detailed Inventory list with original cost

Business Registration

Businesses located in the City of Scottsdale require a Business Registration License Service or Merchant.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Charitable Solicitations (Non-Profit)

Charitable Solicitation Registration of an organization that makes a public appeal for any charitable purpose when the organization holds an exemption thru the 26 U.S.C. Section 501 (c). Non Profit in Scottsdale All non profit businesses with a 501 (c) exemption with a location in the city of Scottsdale must register.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Additional Requirements

• Submit copy of 501 (C) exemption statement granted by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.
• Submit copy of financial statement for the prior fiscal year.
• File a notarized statement within 60 days from date of expiration of permit showing amount raised, costs and amounts disbursed or to be disbursed for each purpose.

Commercial Refuse or Solid Waste Collection

Additional license required for those companies or individuals who privately contract to collect refuse or solid waste.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $250 Annual License Fee
• $954.81 per truck per year (10 cubic yards or larger) prorated per quarter based on start date

Escort Bureau / Introductory Service

Means a business to refer or furnish, for compensation of any kind, escorts to patrons or patrons to escorts. An Escort Bureau includes an Introductory Service.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $100 Initial Application Fee
• $175 Annual License Fee
• $25 Change in Location Fee
• $ State fingerprinting processing Fee: As set by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• $10 City Fingerprint Fee (If prints taken in License Registration office)
• $100 Late Application Renewal Fee
• $10 Duplicate License Fee

Escort / Escort Assistant

Person hired to accompany another person to social functions or any place of amusement whether public or private in nature. Includes any person who assists an escort in the escort's services.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $100 Initial Application Fee
• $100 Permit Fee
• $50 Renewal Permit Fee
• $ State fingerprinting processing Fee: As set by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• $10 Identification Card Fee
• $10 City Fingerprint Fee (If prints taken in License Registration office)
• $100 Late Application Renewal Fee (if not renewed 60 days before expiration)
• $10 Duplicate Permit Fee

Liquor Permit / Alcoholic Beverage

Establishment selling spirituous beverages.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $100 - $500 Application Fee
• $100 Permit Issuance Fee
• $0 to $1,200 Annual Permit Fee dependent on series #, prorated per quarter based on state approval date

Additional Requirements

• Separately submit a state application. For information regarding the state application go to the Arizona Department of Liquor.
• If you are applying for Series 03 - Microbrewery, Series 06 - Bar, Series 07 - Beer & Wine Bar, Series 12 - Restaurant, Series 13 - Domestic Farm Winery, or Series 14 - Club (Private) State Liquor Permit you may also have to acquire a City of Scottsdale conditional use permit. For information go to Planning, Building and Zoning.

Liquor Permit (Special Event)

Means the service of parking vehicles for patrons of a business.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $25 per day

Special Event and Covid-19 Information

Additional Requirements

• For additional Liquor License Information, State Liquor application and the review process visit: Liquor License Information

Magic Arts Establishment

May include palmistry, phrenology, astrology, fortune telling, mind reading, clairvoyancy, tarot card reading or providing other similar activity or service.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $100 Annual License Fee
• $ State fingerprinting processing Fee: As set by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• $10 Duplicate License Fee

Additional Requirements

• Fingerprint and background check for each owner/officer or manager.
• Application must be made 30 days prior to the start of business.

Massage Facility

Any place of business where any massage therapy is practiced or administered.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $100 Initial Application Fee
• $300 Annual License Fee
• $ State Fingerprinting Processing Fee: As set by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• $10 City Fingerprint Fee per person
• $10 On site manager ID Card Fee
• $100 Late Application Renewal Fee
• $200 Late Renewal Fee
• $50 Change in location Fee
• $10 Duplicate License Fee

Mobile Food Vendor

Person who owns, controls, manages or leases a mobile food unit or contracts with a person to prepare foods and vend from, drive or operate a mobile food unit.

Scottsdale Revised Code

Application Materials

Associated Fees

• $350 Application Fee
• $ State Fingerprinting Processing Fee: As set by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• $10 City Fingerprint Fee per person
• $50 Renewal Fee
• $350 Late Renewal if not submitted 30 days prior to expiration
• $10 Duplicate License Fee (print) Electronic: No charge

Additional Requirements

• Commercial General Liability Insurance
• Business Automobile Liability Insurance
• Evidence of a fire inspection by the Scottsdale Fire Prevention Division or provide documentation the Mobile Food Unit passed a fire inspection by another city or town fire department in Arizona within the preceding 12 months. Please email to schedule an inspection by Scottsdale Fire.

Fingerprints Required

Fingerprints will be submitted for a background check on all controlling persons of a business. Please call 480-312-2400 to set up an appointment to be fingerprinted.

Frequently Asked Questions

By what date must I have my City Mobile Food Vendor License in order to operate in Scottsdale? All Mobile Food Vendors must be licensed by March 1, 2022. Will every driver have to be fingerprinted? No, drivers are not required to be fingerprinted unless they are owners or officers of the business. Do I have to provide insurance and what amount? If you will be operating on public property you are required to have insurance. We suggest $1,000,000 of commercial general liability insurance which is required if you are part of a Scottsdale special event. How long will the license be good for? The license is good for one year from the date of Issuance. If I am not required to license with the State of Arizona, do I still need to license with Scottsdale? In order to make that determination, written documentation for the exemption from the State Department of Health Services would need to be reviewed. I am not working in the Downtown area – Do I still need to get a license? Yes, the Ordinance is not limited to only one part of the City. Once I am licensed, can I setup anywhere in the City of Scottsdale? No, Per Section 16-655 (H) – Location - A mobile food vendor shall operate only in those zoning districts that permit a Mobile Food Vendor Use pursuant to City’s Zoning Ordinance. Please see the graphic illustration for parking information. Do all Ice Cream Trucks licensed under Neighborhood Street Vendors need to also be licensed under the Mobile Food Vendor ordinance? Yes, if operating in a commercially zoned area. Can I setup my vehicle/cart in a city park? No, the sale of food, beverage and merchandise is prohibited in City Parks. There are limited instances when a mobile food vendor may operate in a park if they are part of a city approved special event.

Neighborhood Street Vendor

Person engaged in street vending limited to peddling, vending or offering for sale any food item.