Sedona, AZ Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed-specific ban
- None; regulation is behavior-based only
- Vicious determination
- Made case by case by licensing authority
- Confinement
- Building or secure enclosure required
- Off-premises rule
- Must be muzzled or caged
- Owner liability
- Full responsibility for injury/damage under § 6.05.100
Summary
Sedona regulates dangerous animals by behavior, not breed. SCC § 6.05.020 defines a "vicious animal" as one that attacks, bites, or injures without provocation or has a "known propensity" to do so, and § 6.05.040(D) requires the licensing authority to order confinement and muzzling once that determination is made.
“Vicious animal” means any animal that attacks, bites or injures human beings or other animals without adequate provocation, or which, because of temperament, conditioning or training has a known propensity to attack, bite or injure human beings or other animals. ... Every vicious animal, as determined by the licensing authority, shall be confined by the owner within a building or secure enclosure and shall be securely muzzled or caged whenever off the premises of its owner.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Initiative Ordinance 2026-01, approved by voters at the July 21, 2026 election).
Full Breakdown
05, so there is no pit bull, Rottweiler, or other breed-specific ban or registration requirement in the city. " That determination is made case by case by the licensing authority, the city or its designee, rather than triggered automatically by an animal's breed or appearance. 040(D) requires the owner to confine it "within a building or secure enclosure" on the property and to keep it "securely muzzled or caged whenever off the premises of its owner," with no exception written in for any particular breed.
100, which makes an owner "fully responsible" for any injury or property damage an animal causes while at large, independent of whether it has ever been formally declared vicious. 050 while a vicious-animal determination is pending or after one has been made.
Violations & Fines
Violating the confinement and muzzling requirements for a declared vicious animal draws the general Chapter 6.05 penalties under § 6.05.130, tied to the citywide penalty schedule in SCC § 1.15.010. The enforcement officer can also impound an animal found at large under § 6.05.050, and the owner remains civilly liable under § 6.05.100 for any injury or damage the animal causes regardless of what criminal or civil penalty is imposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sedona ban pit bulls or other specific dog breeds?
What happens once my dog is declared vicious?
Am I liable if my dog injures someone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sedona
How Sedona compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Sedona to another location·View the Arizona animal ordinances overview
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