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Business Licensing and Taxing

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1. What if I have multiple locations or business names?

A person engaged in or conducting one or more businesses located within the city, at more than one location or under more than one business name, shall obtain a business license for each separate location or business name.

2. Is my Business License transferable between owners if I sell my business?

The Business License is non-transferable. If you sell your business to a new owner you must complete a Business License Update form within 10 business days of the occurrence of the change you are reporting.
The new owner must complete a Business License application prior to starting business to obtain a Business License authorizing them to conduct business within the city.

3. How do I notify the city if I change my business location, mailing address, business name, or stop doing business within the city?

You must complete a Business License Update form within 10 business days of the occurrence of the change you are reporting.

4. How do I renew my Business License at the beginning of each calendar year?

It is the responsibility of the business owner or primary contact to ensure the business has a current business license at the beginning of each calendar year.

A Business License Renewal Notice will be sent to all continuing business license holders at the end of each calendar year. If a continuing business does not receive a Business License Renewal Notice by January 20th of the new year, the business owner or primary contact should contact the city to inquire about renewing their business license for the current calendar year. Any corrections or additions to the information on the renewal notice must be made on the form and returned to the city with the license renewal fee payment and any other documentation required.

Businesses that fail to respond to a renewal notice by January 31st shall be deemed to be operating without a license and subject to a penalty of 10 percent of the annual license fee. Failure to respond to a second notice, the Delinquent Business License Renewal Notice, by February 28th will result in an additional penalty of 10 percent of the balance owed and revocation of the license effective March 1st. If the business continues to do business within the city without a current year business license, they will be in violation of the City Code and subject to a fine, jail, or both. Each day a violation continues shall be a separate offense punishable as herein described.

The business is liable for payment of all delinquent business license fees and related sales tax for all periods the business has operated within the city. Should the business pay the renewal fees after February 28th, the city will determine on a case-by-case basis whether to reinstate the business license or notify the business that they can not do business within the City of El Mirage.

5. How do I Cancel a Business License?

You must complete a Business License Update form within 10 business days of the occurrence of the change you are reporting.

6. What do I need to do if I own residential property that I want to rent, or if I operate a Property Management business and manage others residential property that is rented?

You must complete the Business License Application for Rental Property. All rental property must be registered with the Maricopa County Assessor's Office. Transaction Privilege (sales) Tax is also imposed on rental income.

7. Can I sell my items on private property, from the street, on the sidewalk or the City’s right-of-way?

Any person who is wishing to sell, offer, or display items is subject to zoning and licensing codes. All vendors must obtain authorization from the City of El Mirage for the location and type of business activity prior to selling. Vendors operating without the proper authorization and licensure will be in violation of the City Code and may be fined, serve jail time, or both.

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Code Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How do I report a code violation?

A complaint can be filed with Code Enforcement one of three ways:

Phone: Call Code Enforcement at 623-933-8318 to be directed to the Code Enforcement Officer assigned to your area.

E-mail: Send the violation information via e-mail to codeenforcement@cityofelmirage.org; include the address and the nature of the violation (high weeds, inoperable vehicle, etc.).

In-Person: Stop by City Hall offices at 12145 NW Grand Avenue (same building where water bills are paid) and fill out a complaint form.

2. Can I remain anonymous when I report a violation?

You may remain anonymous unless you would like to be contacted which would require you leaving your name and telephone number. There are also times when more information regarding the violation might be needed and a call back number would be helpful; your contact information is confidential.

3. How do I report grafitti in my neighborhood?

Graffiti can be reported by calling the graffiti hotline number at 623-876-4611. If you see graffiti in progress please call 911 or call the El Mirage Police Department at 623-933-1341. Monetary rewards for reporting the act of graffiti are available; please call 623-433-9560 for information.

4. What can I do about barking dogs in my neighborhood?

To file an informal complaint about barking dogs, please call Code Enforcement at 623-876-2931 and provide the address of the violation.

To file a formal complaint for barking dogs you must provide information covering a two week period indicating the dates and times when the dog is barking. Submit the logged information to Code Enforcement at City Hall offices, 12145 NW Grand Avenue, and a formal notice will then be sent to the occupant of the violation.

If the dog barks continually at night, call El Mirage Police Department at 623-933-1341. If the dog is still barking when Police arrive they will make contact with the home occupant and may issue citations.

5. Do I need a building permit to build or extend a block fence or to build a patio?

Yes. Please call Community Development Permit Customer Service at 623-933-8318 for further information on how to obtain a permit.

6. Am I allowed to put up signs to advertise my yard or garage sale?

No. The El Mirage City Code does not allow any signs in any of the rights-of-way. No signs may be affixed to signs, light poles, block walls or put on sidewalks.

7. Who do I call to report a loose/roaming animal in the neighborhood?

Please report loose or roaming animals that do not require a police response yo the Animal Control Call Center at (602)506-7387. However, if you feel that there is a threat to public safety, please call 9-1-1.

8. Who do I call to report a dead animal on the road?

Please report a dead animal on the road by calling Community Development Customer Service at 623-933-8318 or El Mirage Police Department at 623-933-1341.

9. Who do I call to report an abandoned shopping cart?

Please report an abandoned shopping cart by calling 1-800-THE CART (1-800-843-2278) and leave a message including 1) the exact location of the cart (including major cross streets), 2) the name of the store the cart belongs to and 3) a contact phone number.

10. Where do I dispose of large trash items?

The City of El Mirage holds Bulk Trash Events twice a year on the 3rd Saturday of March and September. These events are open to El Mirage residents only and proof of residency is required. Samples of items accepted: tree limbs, branches, washers, dryers, refrigerators without Freon, kitchen cabinets, tires without rims, furnishings, etc…

An alternative site to discard large trash items throughout the year for a fee is the Glendale Landfill at 11480 West Glendale Ave. Please call 623-930-2191 for more information on the landfill.

Please call Public Works Department at 623-935-6405 for more information.

11. Where do I dispose of Household Hazardous Waste?

Once a year, on the 3rd Saturday of March, the City of El Mirage hosts a Household Hazardous Waste Event usually coinciding with the Bulk Trash Event. Please check the City website for additional information. These events are open to El Mirage residents only and proof of residency is required. Sample of items accepted: oils, paints household cleaners, automotive fluids, glues and cements, electronics, outdoor pesticides, products with mercury, batteries.

The Maricopa County Solid Waste Department has transfer stations to discard household hazardous materials throughout the year. The closest transfer station to the City of El Mirage is 40135 N. Highway 60, Morristown. Please call 602-506-4006 for more information.

For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 623-935-6405.

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How do I report.....

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1. How do I report a street light out

Street lights in El Mirage are serviced by APS. When reporting, you will need the pole number located about 7 feet off the ground on the pole, facing the street. go to APS web site...

2. How do I report a pothole

Contact the Public Works Department at 623-935-6405 to report a pothole. You will need a location such as an address or intersection when reporting. submit a report online......

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Liquor License

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1. Who is required to get a liquor license?

Any person who sells liquor in Arizona must apply for a liquor license at the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (the “Dept. of Liquor”). A liquor license application must be filed for any new liquor establishment (a “new license”) or for any change in ownership or location of an existing license (a “person transfer” or “location transfer”).

2. Who governs the issuance
of a liquor license?

Liquor licenses are governed by Arizona state law. Thus, the Dept.of Liquor and the State Liquor Board have the ultimate authority over the issuance of liquor licenses in Arizona.

The seven-member State Liquor Board is appointed by the governor. The liquor board usually does not get involved in the issuance of “uncontested” liquor licenses. However, the State Liquor Board will conduct a hearing on a license application if the El Mirage City Council objects to approval of the license.

3. How can I speak for or against a liquor license?

Any person who resides or who owns or leases property within one mile of the applicant’s premises may submit written comments to the city stating whether they are for or against the application within the 20-day posting period. Written comments should be mailed or faxed to the City of El Mirage, City Clerk’s Office, 12145 NW Grand Ave, El Mirage, AZ 85335. The fax number is (623) 876-4603.
In addition, any person – no matter where he/she lives – who wishes to speak before the El Mirage City Council concerning a liquor license application may do so at a public hearing. The City Council holds a public hearing on each application immediately prior to voting on whether to recommend approval or denial of the application to the State Liquor Board.

4. Qualifications for Regular Liquor Licenses

Under Arizona law, the grounds for the State Liquor Board to deny a regular liquor license application are as follows:
Personal: An applicant must show that he/she has the “capability, qualifications and reliability” to hold a license. Also, an applicant cannot apply for a new liquor license if he/she had an existing liquor license revoked within the past year. In addition, an applicant cannot apply for a liquor license if he/she has been convicted of a felony within the past five years.

Location: The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that if a transferable liquor license has already been issued for a business in which a person-to-person transfer is being sought (e.g., a new owner of an existing bar or liquor store), location issues are not grounds for denying the transfer. In other cases except for private club licenses), an applicant must show that the “public convenience requires and that the best interest of the community will be substantially served by the issuance of the license.” Particular location restrictions include the following:
With certain exceptions, no retailer’s license can be issued for any premises that are, at the time of application, within 300 feet of a church or of a public or private school building (grades K-12), or within 300 feet of a fenced recreational area adjacent to such school. The 300-foot restriction does not apply to temporary licenses, restaurant licenses, hotel/motel licenses, government licenses, fenced golf course areas, and grandfathered licenses.

If an application for a new location has been previously rejected by the Dept. of Liquor, no new application for the same location can be filed for at least one year after such rejection. This rule applies only if the State Liquor Board denies a license, not if an application is withdrawn by the applicant before a formal denial.

Type of Business: A liquor license cannot be issued if it would be “inappropriate” for the type of business. An inappropriate business is one that cannot clearly demonstrate that the sale of liquor is “directly connected to its primary purpose” and that such sale is not “merely incidental to its primary purpose.”

5. Qualifications for Temporary Special Event and Wine Festival Liquor Licenses

A special event liquor license may only be issued to a political party or campaign committee, a civic, charitable or religious organization, or a fraternal organization that has been in existence for at least five years. A wine festival license may only be issued to a domestic farm winery.

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Photo Enforcement FAQ

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1. How do red light cameras work?

In-ground sensors continuously monitor each vehicle that passes. If a vehicle is going faster than a pre-established speed, or if the vehicle enters an intersection after the signal has turned red, the sensors trigger a high-resolution camera system. The multiple-camera system records separate still images of the vehicle and its rear license place, along with video of the incident. Data about the incident-including location, date, time, speed limit, lane, vehicle speed, elapsed time, and other details-is imprinted on each citation.

The system uses public key cryptology and additional encryption processes to protect the image evidence from alteration.

2. Why did I get a red light camera ticket for turning right on red?

The law requires drivers to come to a complete stop before proceeding into an intersection to make a right turn on red. Drivers who roll past the stop bar without bringing the vehicle to a full stop may be ticketed by either a police patrol officer or a red light camera.

3. What is the photo speed-enforcement ticketing process?

Before a ticket is ever issued, the violation is reviewed multiple times by trained technicians to ensure a clear violation has occurred. An El Mirage police officer then provides the final authorization after carefully reviewing the photographs and video evidence of each incident. When justified, a summons is sent by mail to owners of the violating vehicles. The registered owner then has the option to pay the ticket, contest the citation in a hearing, or show proof he or she was not the driver at the time of the incident. The process is similar to the hearing process afforded to drivers issued a summons by a patrol officer.

4. Can photos and video of the violation be viewed online?

A user-friendly web site, www.photonotice.com, allows many drivers to take a moment to acknowledge and correct their driving habits, the ultimate goal of the photo enforcement program. To access violation images, video of the incident and to pay fines online, visit and enter the citation number, license plate number, and the El Mirage code that is listed on your citation.

5. Do photo enforcement cameras violate motorists’ right to privacy?

Motorists agree to abide by all traffic laws when they obtain a driver’s license. Photo enforcement cameras are posted in public areas and are clearly marked to ensure citizens are aware of their presence. Then only vehicles driven by motorists suspected of violating the law are photographed.

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Police Department FAQ

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1. How many police officers are there?

The El Mirage Police Department employs 46 sworn officers and 7 civilians.

2. How do I know if I should call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency 623-933-1341 number?

If you are involved with an immediate life threatening situation or there is a crime in progress, call 9-1-1.

If you want to report suspicious activity, have a non-emergency or have a question, call (623) 933-1341.

3. How do I get a copy of an accident or police report?

For a police report contact the Records Division at (623) 433-9500 to request a copy of the report. They are located at 14405 N Palm St in El Mirage. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To obtain a copy of an accident report please follow this link.

4. What do I do if there is a drug house on my street?

Please call the Police Department at (623) 433-9500. Please be patient, it may be a couple of days for a detective to call you back. In the mean time, call the police if you see a crime or suspicious activity. Also, document the vehicle and pedestrian traffic to and from the house. Get descriptions of vehicles and persons and record license plate numbers. Record times of day when vehicles come, go , and how long they stay. This information is very useful to detectives during their investigations.

5. What can we do about speeding on our street?

First, set the example by being aware of the speed you drive. Second, call the police at (623) 933-1341 and make a traffic enforcement request. The request will be assigned to an officer from the Traffic Enforcement Division.

6. What is the most common way burglars enter homes?

The most common way burglars enter homes in El Mirage is through open garage doors. Also, another common way is through unsecured or open doors and windows.

7. Who do we contact for code enforcement issues?

You can call the City's Code Enforcement section at (623) 876-2931 or call the Police Department Administration offices at (623) 433-9500

8. If I have any other questions, who do I contact?

You can contact the Administration offices at (623) 433-9500 during regular business hours.

You can also e-mail askacop@cityofelmirage.org

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Police Department Neighborhood Watch FAQ

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1. There is no crime in our neighborhood. Should we still try to start a Neighborhood Watch?

Maybe. The fact that many neighborhoods are virtually crime-free does not make them immune. Criminal activity knows no geographical boundary, and provided that enough initial interest can be generated, the fact that your neighborhood is crime-free may be the best reason to establish a Neighborhood Watch now. It should be stressed that every successful Neighborhood Watch, regardless of the crime rate, requires involved, interested, and committed participants.

2. I don't like to go to a lot of meetings. Can I still be a Neighborhood Watch participant?

Yes. Most new Neighborhood Watches require only two or three weekly or biweekly meetings to get started. After that period, an occasional maintenance meeting is recommended to keep Neighborhood Watch participants active and interested.

3. Who conducts the meetings?

The initial Neighborhood Watch meetings are conducted by community liaison officers and community trainers who are well-trained in crime prevention techniques, organizational skills and community leadership. Depending upon the size of the Neighborhood Watch, a few volunteers are needed in getting the program started, and moving in the right direction.

4. Won't the Neighborhood Watch program just result in a lot of frivolous and unnecessary calls to the police?

No. Remember that you are the best one to judge whether something is normal or not normal in your neighborhood. Even if your call turns out to be a false alarm, it is better to let trained police officers make that determination. Of course, as a Neighborhood Watch participant, you will receive instruction on what constitutes a true emergency as opposed to something which simply needs routine police attention. Neighborhood Watch participants receive information on the proper use of the 911 system for real emergency situations.

5. How do we obtain Neighborhood Watch signs?

As a general rule, a minimum 50% level of participation, by number of households in a Neighborhood Watch area, is necessary for obtaining signs. However, the crime prevention officer may recommend signs for neighborhoods which demonstrate a strong commitment to the program but fall short of the 50% participation level. Of course, any Neighborhood Watch which becomes inactive is subject to having the signs removed.

6. How do we get started?

Contact Officer Monica Rios in the Community Relations Division of the El Mirage Police Department at 623-433-9500 or via email at mrios@cityofelmiragepolice.org.

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XPRESS BILL PAY

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1. How do I sign up?

*First time users on XpressBillPay will have to setup an account. You will need to have your account number available.

Create a free account by entering your valid e-mail address and creating a password. (If you’ve already signed up with Xpress Bill Pay, you can log in with your e-mail address and password.)
You will automatically be logged in for the first time. You will need to "Add a New eBill". Type in "City of El Mirage" and click on "Search". Click "SELECT" next to the "City of El Mirage". s Follow the instructions on the screen. You will need a valid e-mail address and will have to
Next you will need to enter your account number as it appears on your bill
Enter your last name or business name as it appears on your bill.
Click on Locate Account.
You are now ready to view and pay your City of El Mirage water bill online.
Once you’ve created an account, you’ll be able to go online to www.xpressbillpay.com at any time to view, manage and pay your bills.

2. Does it cost anything to sign up for online bill payment?

No. It’s free to sign up for online bill payment and to use the service.

3. What is Xpress Bill Pay?

Xpress Bill Pay is the company we have partnered with to handle our online bill payment. You access your account from their website, www.XpressBillPay.com.

4. What payment choices do I have?

You can pay your bills with a credit or debit card, or you can transfer funds directly from your checking account.

5. What will my bill look like online?

We try to match the look of your paper statement as much as possible, so you’ll find it easy to read your bill onscreen.

6. What other information is available?

You can view up to a year’s history of your account online, so you can compare your current bill to a year ago.

7. Do I need to pay my bills from my computer?

Not at all. You can pay your bill from anywhere in the world! All you need is access to the Internet through a Web browser. You then log in to your account using your e-mail address and password. No need to worry about late payments if you’re out of town when your bill is due.

8. How do I know the payment went through?

After you complete the transaction, you can receive an e-mail receipt to confirm that your payment went through.

9. Is my information safe?

Absolutely. All the transactions are handled on secure servers. As long as you don’t give out your password, only you will be able to access your account. Plus, your personal information or e-mail address will not be sold or rented to third parties for marketing purposes without your permission.