Turning Your Old Town Scottsdale Home Into A Vacation Rental

Thinking about turning your Old Town Scottsdale home into a vacation rental? You are not alone. With walkable dining, galleries, and major events drawing visitors year-round, Old Town offers strong demand for short stays. In this guide, you will see the steps to get licensed, set up your property for five-star reviews, and price smart around events. You will also learn when it makes sense to hire a professional manager. Let’s dive in.

Why Old Town works for STRs

Old Town is compact and highly walkable, which visitors love. You are near restaurants, the Scottsdale Waterfront, Fashion Square, galleries, and weekly cultural happenings. If you highlight this walkability and access in your listing, you can stand out to travelers who want to park once and explore on foot. For a feel of what guests come to see, browse this overview of Old Town favorites.

Event weeks can supercharge bookings and rates. Barrett-Jackson in January, the WM Phoenix Open in early February, and Cactus League spring training bring a surge of visitors who want proximity to dining and nightlife. Build your calendar around these periods to capture top pricing. You can preview one of these demand drivers in this Barrett-Jackson guide.

At the Scottsdale city level, third-party market snapshots often show median occupancy around the mid-60 percent range over recent 12-month windows, with average daily rate in the low-to-mid $200s. Performance varies by exact location, size, and amenities, but February and March tend to be the highest-revenue months. See a city overview from Airbtics.

Your compliance checklist

Short-term rentals in Scottsdale are legal within state limits, but you must complete several filings and safety steps before you host your first guest. Scottsdale maintains a clear resource hub for owners. Start here: Scottsdale short-term rental requirements and licensing.

Register with the county

Before any occupancy, Arizona law requires you to register your rental with the Maricopa County Assessor. This applies to all residential rentals, including short-term. You can complete it online through the Maricopa County Assessor rental registration portal.

Get your state tax license

Obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax license with the Arizona Department of Revenue and be prepared to collect and remit applicable transient lodging taxes and TPT. Scottsdale’s resource page explains how to list Scottsdale in your state filings and how local occupancy taxes apply.

Apply for Scottsdale’s STR license

If you will host stays under 30 days, you must secure a Scottsdale short-term/vacation rental license for each property. The city portal explains the steps, required documents, fees, and processing timelines. Scottsdale notes that rentals of 30 days or longer are generally not subject to the STR license.

Notify neighbors and set a 24/7 contact

Scottsdale requires you to notify neighbors and maintain a 24/7 local emergency contact who can respond if issues arise. The city provides templates and guidance on which adjacent and diagonal addresses to notify. Keep your contact info current.

Carry required insurance

Arizona law allows cities to require minimum liability coverage. Scottsdale requires at least $500,000 in liability insurance per property, or proof that your hosting marketplace provides equivalent or greater coverage. Review the statute for details on allowed city rules, processing timelines, and penalties in A.R.S. §9-500.39.

Post the laminated notice

Scottsdale requires a laminated safety and rules notice in a specific format, typically near the front and backyard doors. It includes emergency details, waste days, fire extinguisher locations, and more. The city’s resource page provides the format and content requirements.

Meet pool and spa rules

If you have a pool, hot tub, or spa, you must meet Scottsdale’s pool-barrier standards and display pool-safety guidance. Verify gates, latches, and signage before you list.

Check HOA and CC&Rs

Your HOA or recorded CC&Rs can restrict or prohibit short-term rentals, even when the city and state allow them. Get written confirmation of your community’s rental policy before you invest in setup. Scottsdale’s resource page notes that HOA restrictions are enforceable.

Prepare your property

Great reviews come from comfort, clarity, and consistency. Use this setup guide to deliver a guest-ready experience from day one.

Safety must-haves

• Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors where required, tested and documented.
• A posted fire escape plan and visible fire extinguisher.
• For homes with pools or spas, Scottsdale-compliant barriers and clear pool-safety instructions.
• The required laminated Scottsdale short-term rental notice posted by entry points.
• Active liability coverage that meets or exceeds the $500,000 minimum.

Guest essentials that set the tone

• Reliable high-speed Wi-Fi and simple streaming TV setup.
• Strong air conditioning, ceiling fans, and blackout curtains for restful sleep.
• Quality mattresses, hotel-grade linens, and two pillow types per bed.
• A stocked kitchen for multi-night stays with cookware, utensils, and a coffee maker.
• Smart lock entry and clear arrival instructions for late check-ins.
• Straightforward house rules and a short Good Neighbor guide. Scottsdale offers templates on its resource page.

Amenities that boost bookings

Outdoor living is a Scottsdale signature. A shaded patio with comfortable seating, a grill area, and tasteful lighting can lift your nightly rate. Private pools and hot tubs are powerful demand drivers in warm months and can materially improve performance. Market overviews of Scottsdale note the value of pools as a booking feature, as seen in this Scottsdale rental overview.

Parking clarity matters in Old Town. If you have an assigned space or off-street parking, highlight it high in your listing. A compact desk and reliable Wi-Fi also help attract remote workers and longer stays.

A practical furnishing checklist

• Sleeping: quality mattresses, protectors, two pillow types, blackout shades.
• Bath: plush towels with two sets per guest, starter toiletries, hair dryer.
• Kitchen: cookware, cutlery, dishes, glassware for max occupancy, coffee maker, dishwasher if present.
• Tech and security: Wi-Fi router, smart lock with keypad, small safe, TV with streaming.
• Turnover: durable furniture, washable slipcovers, and labeled bins for back-of-house supplies.

Design that leans desert modern with indoor-outdoor flow photographs beautifully and resonates with Old Town guests. Keep styling minimal and curated so your listing photos feel calm and upscale.

Pricing and operations

Smart pricing and tight operations turn a good property into a reliable performer.

Price for season and events

Your revenue is ADR times occupancy. Build a baseline for shoulder months, then layer in premiums for peak dates. Dynamic pricing tools or a manager’s pricing engine can adjust rates daily around event weeks like Barrett-Jackson, the WM Phoenix Open, and spring training. City-level snapshots show February and March often deliver top ADR and occupancy. Review the Scottsdale overview from Airbtics to see why seasonality matters.

Consider minimum-stay rules for high-demand weekends and event weeks to reduce turnover costs and protect margins.

Budget your operating costs

• Platform and payment fees.
• Taxes: state TPT and local transient lodging taxes. Scottsdale’s resource page outlines local reporting components.
• Utilities: electricity for A/C, water for pools, internet, and any streaming services.
• Turnover cleaning and laundry tied to occupancy.
• Routine maintenance, restocking, and small replacements.
• Insurance: standard homeowner policies often exclude STR use. Confirm coverage or secure a short-term rental policy, and ensure you meet the $500,000 liability threshold.

Choose your management model

• Self-manage: highest control and lowest fixed fees, but expect daily work for messaging, turnovers, and maintenance coordination.
• Co-host or partial service: offload guest communications and some logistics for a percentage or flat fee.
• Full-service management: end-to-end pricing, guest support, housekeeping, maintenance coordination, and compliance. Industry summaries show common full-service fees in the 20 to 35 percent range of booking revenue, with lower or higher options depending on inclusions. See a fee overview from Checkmate Rentals.

When should you hire a manager? If you live out of state, cannot provide a reliable 24/7 contact, or want a hands-off asset with professional revenue optimization, full service is often worth the fee.

Track the right metrics

Measure ADR, occupancy, RevPAR, and net operating income after taxes, cleaning, utilities, and fees. Expect sharp seasonal swings. For a precise revenue forecast on your exact Old Town address, order a paid address-level report from a market data provider and compare with comps from a local STR manager.

Step-by-step launch plan

Follow this quick start path to open smoothly and compliantly.

1. Confirm HOA and CC&Rs. Get the rental policy in writing for your parcel. HOA rules are enforceable even when the city allows STRs.
2. Register your rental with Maricopa County. Complete the county registration before occupancy through the Assessor’s portal.
3. Set up your ADOR TPT license. Use Scottsdale as the location where applicable and know your reporting cadence.
4. Apply for the Scottsdale STR license. One license per property for stays under 30 days. Save your license number for neighbor notification.
5. Complete neighbor notification. Provide the required contacts and maintain a 24/7 local emergency contact.
6. Update insurance. Secure short-term rental or umbrella coverage that meets or exceeds $500,000 in liability.
7. Install safety items and post notices. Check pool barriers, detectors, fire extinguisher, and the required laminated notice. Add a Good Neighbor guide for guests.
8. Select your operating model. If hiring a manager, get line-item quotes, confirm inclusions, and compare expected net income after fees.
9. Furnish and photograph. Highlight walkability, outdoor living, parking, and any pool or spa. Use professional photos that show indoor-outdoor flow.
10. Launch with dynamic pricing. Set clear house rules, deposit or damage procedures, and a simple turnover and emergency playbook.

When a boutique manager adds value

You can run a successful Old Town rental on your own, but a boutique full-service manager can lift performance while protecting your time. The right partner will handle licensing guidance, neighbor notification templates, a 24/7 local contact, dynamic pricing around major events, housekeeping standards, maintenance coordination, and concierge touches that earn repeat bookings.

If you prefer hospitality-grade presentation and data-driven pricing, a curated portfolio approach also helps. Fewer, well-chosen homes typically receive more focused marketing and revenue management, which can translate to stronger ADR and guest satisfaction over time.

Ready to explore your options or get a clear revenue plan for your property? Connect with Neighbors Luxury Real Estate for a free, personalized Vacation Rental Property Analysis.

FAQs

Do I need special insurance for a Scottsdale vacation rental?

• Yes. Scottsdale requires at least $500,000 in liability coverage per property, or proof of equal or greater marketplace coverage. Confirm your policy supports STR use per A.R.S. §9-500.39.

Can my Old Town HOA stop short-term rentals?

• Possibly. HOA CC&Rs can restrict or prohibit STRs regardless of city allowances. Review your recorded documents and the association’s written policy as noted on Scottsdale’s STR resource page.

What license do I need to host under 30 days?

• You must obtain a Scottsdale short-term/vacation rental license for each property, complete neighbor notification, maintain a 24/7 contact, and meet all display and safety requirements listed on the city’s STR page.

How much can I earn with an Old Town rental?

• City-level snapshots show median occupancy around the mid-60 percent range and ADR in the low-to-mid $200s, with higher performance possible near peak season. See the Scottsdale market overview.

Which dates are peak for pricing in Old Town?

• January through March often lead, with spikes around Barrett-Jackson and the WM Phoenix Open. Plan premiums and minimum stays for those windows. Preview one driver in this Barrett-Jackson guide.