Ordinances You Need to Know in Surprise, AZ
Local rules that could affect everyday life, property use or a decision to move to Surprise, AZ.
Local jurisdiction: City of Surprise, Arizona.
City Business License Required
Surprise treats a qualifying home occupation as a permitted accessory residential use and requires a valid City business license.
Source: City of Surprise Municipal Code
Code section: Surprise Municipal Code 106-10.23
Code amendment: Ordinance 2025-16, adopted October 7, 2025
NTL verified: September 3, 2026
Floor-Area and Accessory-Space Limits
Surprise limits a home occupation to no more than 50 percent of the residence gross floor area or 400 square feet of a garage or accessory structure.
Source: City of Surprise Municipal Code
Code section: Surprise Municipal Code 106-10.23
Code amendment: Ordinance 2025-16, adopted October 7, 2025
NTL verified: September 3, 2026
Up to Two Nonresident Employees
Surprise allows residents and immediate family members to work in a home occupation and permits up to two additional individuals who are not residents or immediate family members.
Source: City of Surprise Municipal Code
Code section: Surprise Municipal Code 106-10.23
Code amendment: Ordinance 2025-16, adopted October 7, 2025
NTL verified: September 3, 2026
Motor Vehicle Repair and Paint Shops Prohibited
Surprise lists motor-vehicle repair or paint shops, vehicle storage, restoration or conversion, engine repair, and similar uses among activities not permitted as home occupations, except work on a vehicle personally owned by the resident.
Source: City of Surprise Municipal Code
Code section: Surprise Municipal Code 106-10.23
Code amendment: Ordinance 2025-16, adopted October 7, 2025
NTL verified: September 3, 2026
Disclaimer & Due Diligence
NarrowTheList includes only location-specific rules we could tie to the local jurisdiction and source shown with each item. State rules are not included on this page.
Ordinances can be amended, repealed, renumbered or interpreted differently depending on the property, zoning district, permit status or activity involved. These summaries are provided as a starting point for relocation research and may not reflect every exception, permit requirement or later amendment.
Before relying on an ordinance for a home purchase, rental, home business, vehicle, pet, property improvement or other important decision, review the linked source and do your own due diligence. Contact the applicable city clerk, municipal office, town or village hall, county office or other local government department to verify the current ordinance and how it applies to the specific property or activity you are considering.