Is an operating agreement required for Arizona LLCs?

This page has not confirmed whether Arizona law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, so it does not answer yes or no. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way. It records who owns what share of the LLC, who makes decisions, and how profits are divided. To learn what Arizona requires, check the website of the state agency that registers LLCs in Arizona, or ask a business attorney licensed in Arizona.

Can I write my own Arizona LLC operating agreement?

Yes, you can write your own Arizona LLC operating agreement. It should cover each member's ownership share, voting rights, how profits are divided and how the LLC is closed down, because the default rules in Arizona's LLC law can apply where the agreement is silent. Read the guidance for LLCs on the website of the state agency that registers them in Arizona, and consider having a business attorney licensed in Arizona review your draft before the members sign it.

Does an Arizona LLC operating agreement need to be notarized?

This page has not confirmed whether Arizona law asks for an operating agreement to be notarized. Have every member sign and date it and keep it with the LLC's records. A bank or lender may ask for notarized signatures, so ask before you sign.

What happens if my Arizona LLC doesn't have an operating agreement?

Without an operating agreement, members have no written terms to settle a disagreement. Where the members have no agreement on a point, the default rules in Arizona's LLC law can apply instead. Read the guidance for LLCs on the website of the state agency that registers them in Arizona before you draft the agreement.

Can I amend my Arizona LLC operating agreement after it's signed?

Yes. An operating agreement can be changed by following the amendment procedure it sets out, such as a vote or the written consent of the members it names. If the agreement says nothing about amendments, the default rules in Arizona's LLC law can apply, so check them, or ask an Arizona business attorney, before you change a term. Put each amendment in writing, have the members sign it, and keep it with the agreement. To amend the LLC's Articles of Organization on file with the state, Arizona uses a separate filing, the Articles of Amendment.

Arizona LLC Operating Agreement: What to Include

Protect your business with a customized operating agreement that meets Arizona's requirements and safeguards your LLC's interests.

By Edmond Hui · Last updated: October 2026

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Key sections of an Arizona LLC operating agreement, listing the 7 provisions the document should cover. — What an Arizona operating agreement should contain, section by section. Source: Arizona Corporation Commission.

Watch: Arizona LLC Operating Agreement: What to Include (2026)

What to Include in Your Operating Agreement

Ownership & membership

Define each member's ownership percentage, capital contributions, and membership interests. This section establishes who owns what portion of your Arizona LLC and their initial investment amounts.

Management structure

Specify whether your LLC is member-managed or manager-managed and outline decision-making authority. Arizona law allows flexibility in how you structure your LLC's management hierarchy.

Voting rights

Establish voting procedures, quorum requirements, and what decisions require member approval. Clear voting rules prevent disputes and ensure smooth business operations in your Arizona LLC.

Profit/loss allocation

Detail how profits, losses, and distributions will be allocated among members. This section matters for tax purposes and ensures fair compensation based on ownership or other agreed-upon criteria.

Member duties

Outline each member's responsibilities, time commitments, and restrictions on competing businesses. Setting clear expectations helps prevent conflicts and protects your LLC's business interests.

Dissolution process

Define the circumstances that trigger dissolution and the process for winding up the business. Having a clear exit strategy protects all members and ensures orderly business closure if needed.

Amendment procedures

Establish how the operating agreement can be modified, including required approvals and documentation. This flexibility allows your Arizona LLC to adapt as business needs change over time.

Read this guide for another state:

Frequently Asked Questions

: This page has not confirmed whether Arizona law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, so it does not answer yes or no. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way. It records who owns what share of the LLC, who makes decisions, and how profits are divided. To learn what Arizona requires, check the website of the state agency that registers LLCs in Arizona, or ask a business attorney licensed in Arizona.
: Yes, you can write your own Arizona LLC operating agreement. It should cover each member's ownership share, voting rights, how profits are divided and how the LLC is closed down, because the default rules in Arizona's LLC law can apply where the agreement is silent. Read the guidance for LLCs on the website of the state agency that registers them in Arizona, and consider having a business attorney licensed in Arizona review your draft before the members sign it.
: This page has not confirmed whether Arizona law asks for an operating agreement to be notarized. Have every member sign and date it and keep it with the LLC's records. A bank or lender may ask for notarized signatures, so ask before you sign.
: Without an operating agreement, members have no written terms to settle a disagreement. Where the members have no agreement on a point, the default rules in Arizona's LLC law can apply instead. Read the guidance for LLCs on the website of the state agency that registers them in Arizona before you draft the agreement.
: Yes. An operating agreement can be changed by following the amendment procedure it sets out, such as a vote or the written consent of the members it names. If the agreement says nothing about amendments, the default rules in Arizona's LLC law can apply, so check them, or ask an Arizona business attorney, before you change a term. Put each amendment in writing, have the members sign it, and keep it with the agreement. To amend the LLC's Articles of Organization on file with the state, Arizona uses a separate filing, the Articles of Amendment.

Sources

2 documents

Each entry below is a document recorded in our verified Arizona sources, and each entry says what the document is. Some statutory text is read from an accurate mirror rather than from the state's own host, and those say so. Where we hold the citation but no stable public link, the citation is printed on its own rather than pointed at a guessed address.

Arizona statute: A.R.S. § 29-3101 et seq. (LLC Act)
azcc.gov/corporationsArizona Corporation Commission: business entity filings

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Edmond Hui · Founder, MyStateLLC

Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.

How we check facts

What to Include in Your Operating Agreement

Ownership & membership

Management structure

Voting rights

Profit/loss allocation

Member duties

Dissolution process

Amendment procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

More for Arizona LLCs

Start and set up

Taxes, money and growth

Stay compliant

Operate in other states

Compare structures

By owner type

By profession

Ready to Form Your Arizona LLC?

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