<t>As of July 4th, 2023, The answer is No.<br/>
<br/>
They won't allow it. So the billing will continue for your Azure Database starting the day you create it. There really is no way to pause / stop billing for your Azure SQL Database.<br/>
<br/>
Official Source: feedback.azure.com Please add ability to temporarily turn off/on SQL Azure server to pause billing<br/>
<br/>
Microsoft's official answer appears to be "Yes, you can export your database. Delete the Azure SQL database and that will pause billing. Then when you need it you can create a new database and import your previously expored DB."<br/>
<br/>
I don't believe this is acceptable as an answer for "Allow me to temporarily turn off SQL Server to save on my billing"<br/>
<br/>
</t>