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Bars, Cocktail Lounges and After-Hours Establishments

Bars & cocktail lounges are allowed (through the use permit process) in the following zoning districts, subject to the conditions specified in Sec. 1.403:

  • (C-S) REGIONAL SHOPPING CENTER
  • (C-2) CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
  • (C-3) HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
  • (P.C.C.) PLANNED COMMUNITY CENTER
  • (P.R.C.) PLANNED REGIONAL CENTER
  • (P.Co.C.) PLANNED CONVENIENCE CENTER, with additional restrictions:
    1. Bars or cocktail lounges limited to beer and wine.
    2. No entertainment.
    3. Maximum one thousand (1,000) square feet.

Specific requirements for bars, cocktail lounges and after-hours establishments (Sec. 1.403.C-1):


Download specific requirements in pdf format.
  1. The use shall not disrupt existing balance of daytime and nighttime uses.
  2. The use shall not disrupt pedestrian-oriented daytime activities.
  3. If the site is located within the downtown overlay district then:
    1. The use shall not encourage displacement of daytime retail uses unless it can be demonstrated that the proposed use shall promote diversity of first floor uses along the street.
    2. The required parking for the use shall be within six hundred (600) feet of the property and shall not be separated from the property by a major or minor arterial street.
  4. If the use is located within five hundred (500) feet of a residential use or district then:
    1. The use shall not adversely impact residential uses.
    2. The use shall provide methods of buffering residential uses.
  5. An active management and security plan shall be created, approved, implemented, maintained, and enforced for the business.
  6. The applicant shall provide, with the application for a conditional use permit, a written exterior refuse control plan which must be approved by the planning and development department staff as complying with the written guidelines of the department.
  7. The applicant shall demonstrate how noise and light generated by the use shall be mitigated.
  8. The applicant shall demonstrate that the use shall meet required parking and shall not exceed capacity for traffic in the area.
  9. After hours establishments must maintain a valid after hours establishment license.

Related Definitions:

  • After hours establishment includes any business which is open to patrons during the hours of 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. which is the business premises of a state on-sale retail liquor licensee and where dancing or live entertainment occurs.
  • Bar or cocktail lounge includes any business that offers alcoholic beverages for sale, is not an accessory use to a hotel, and meets any of the following criteria:
    1. The bar service area is in excess of fifteen (15) percent of the gross floor area.
    2. The kitchen is less than fifteen (15) percent of the gross floor area.
    3. Age verification is requested for admittance.
    4. A cover charge is required for admittance, except for special events as permitted through the city's special event permit process.
    5. Less than forty (40) percent of gross revenues are derived from the sale of prepared food.
    6. The business remains open and liquor sales continue but the full kitchen closes before 9:00 p.m.
  • Bar service area includes the floor areas under indoor and outdoor bars counter tops and the floor area behind the bars counter tops used for the storage, preparation and serving of food or drinks.
  • Kitchen includes only those areas used for the preparation and cooking of food and dishwashing including all areas accessory thereto, and not including walk-in refrigerators or cold storage rooms or rooms for the storage of food or beverages.

For more information, contact Current Planning at 480-312-7000 or e-mail PlanningInfo@Scottsdaleaz.gov.

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