Doing business in the Valley.
Chambers, licenses
and the rules at home.
Where Phoenix-area business owners start: the statewide filings, the chamber of commerce and city business office in each of 17 Valley cities, and what each city allows for a business run from home, all from official sources. I am a real estate agent, not an attorney or accountant, so treat this as a map to the right offices.
The statewide first steps
Whatever city you are in, a new Arizona business usually touches the same few offices. These are the official starting points.
- Form the entity.LLCs and corporations are filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission, which now runs online filing through Arizona Business Center (formerly eCorp).
- Get a sales tax license if you need one.Businesses selling taxable goods or services generally need a transaction privilege tax (TPT) license from the Arizona Department of Revenue, applied for at AZTaxes.gov. The Department notes the city where you operate may also require a business or occupational license.
- Use the free state checklist.The Arizona Commerce Authority offers a free Small Business Checklist, a Small Business Academy and boot camps.
- Get free counseling.The Arizona SBDC Network and the Maricopa SBDC offer free one-on-one counseling and training. The SBA Arizona District Office in Phoenix covers SBA funding programs and federal contracting.
Your local business community
Chambers of commerce run the networking events, referral groups and member directories. City economic development offices handle site questions, incentives and small business programs. Here is each one for the cities I cover, from their own sites.
The Southwest Valley Chamber lists Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Tolleson in its service area. Surprise Regional Chamber’s old address now forwards to the Northwest Valley Chamber. Paradise Valley businesses often join a neighboring chamber.
Home businesses, city by city
Every Valley city allows some kind of home business, which zoning codes call a home occupation, with limits on employees, customer visits, signs and storage. Your HOA can be stricter than the city, so read your CC&Rs too. Here is what each city’s own pages and code say.
- Phoenix.Allowed in residential districts when it meets the standards: no employees outside the family living there, no exterior sign, display or storage, activity between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., and no more than 25 percent of the area under roof. More traffic than a household normally has, or work in an accessory building, needs a use permit. Source: City of Phoenix, home occupations (Zoning Ordinance Section 608).
- Scottsdale.Allowed in single-family districts as an accessory use. Only people who live in the home may be employed, no exterior sign, display or storage, no use of the garage, carport or an accessory building for the business, and no goods sold on the premises. Source: City of Scottsdale, home occupations.
- Gilbert.Allowed when the business stays secondary to the home: no more than one full-time-equivalent employee besides family who live there, no signs, displays or outdoor storage, and no more traffic than a normal residence. Source: Town of Gilbert, Land Development Code Section 4.502.
- Goodyear.Run by a family member who lives there, inside the home or attached garage, on no more than 25 percent of the living area, one customer at a time, parking in the driveway or garage, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Home businesses need an annual business registration permit. Source: City of Goodyear, home-based business.
- Mesa.Allowed in single-residence districts under Zoning Ordinance Section 11-31-33. The city notes Mesa or the state may also require a license. Source: City of Mesa, small business assistance.
- Tempe, Chandler, Surprise and Paradise Valley.Home occupation rules are in Tempe Zoning and Development Code Section 3-412, Chandler City Code Section 35-2215, Surprise Municipal Code Section 106-10.23 and Paradise Valley Town Code Article XVI. Read the section, or call the city planning desk before you sign a lease or buy.
- Every other city.Call the planning and zoning desk listed on the city’s business page in the table above. Ask what is allowed in your zoning district and whether a permit or license is required.
Some cities license every business
- Glendale.A business license is required for any business with a physical location in the city; $25 to start and $25 a year. City of Glendale.
- Surprise.The city code requires a city business license for anyone doing business within city limits. City of Surprise.
- Buckeye.Most people or companies doing business in city limits need a city business license. City of Buckeye.
- Paradise Valley.A town business license is required for businesses with a physical location in the town. Town of Paradise Valley.
- Cave Creek.An annual town business license runs January 1 to December 31. Town of Cave Creek.
- Goodyear.Home businesses keep an annual business registration permit, noted above.
Where real estate comes in
If you own 25 percent or more of a business, a lender will treat you as self-employed when you buy a home. I wrote a guide on what that means and what to gather: Buying a home when you are self-employed. If you are choosing a city partly for its business climate, the city comparisons put taxes and services side by side.
Business owner questions
Do I need a city license as well as a state TPT license?
Often. The Arizona Department of Revenue says a business subject to TPT will likely need a state license and a TPT or business license from the city where it operates. Several cities, including Glendale, Surprise, Buckeye and Paradise Valley, also license businesses generally.
Can I run a business from my house in an HOA?
The city may allow it while the HOA restricts it. Read the CC&Rs for limits on signs, parking, customer visits and business use before you start, and before you buy if a home business is part of the plan.
Which chamber should I join?
Usually the one for the city where your customers are. Southwest Valley businesses often share one regional chamber, and many owners join more than one. Most chambers let you attend an event before you join.
Where do I form an LLC in Arizona?
With the Arizona Corporation Commission, online through Arizona Business Center. An attorney or accountant can help you choose the structure.
Moving a business to the Valley?
Tell me what the business needs: a home office, a place for clients, room to grow. I will help you find the house and the city that fit, and point you to the right local offices. Call or text 480-485-4261.
Each fact links to the official page it came from: the Arizona Corporation Commission, Arizona Department of Revenue, Arizona Commerce Authority, SBA, each chamber’s own site and each city’s site or code. Rules change; confirm with the city before you rely on them. General information, not legal or tax advice. Checked 28 October 2026.