Sedona, AZ Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Private wild pets
- Banned unless state law allows it
- Display/performance
- Banned without USDA/AZGFD license
- City-property display insurance
- $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate
- First display violation
- Documented warning only
- Repeat civil fine
- Up to $2,500 per animal per day
- Second offense
- Class 1 misdemeanor
Summary
SCC § 6.05.080 makes it unlawful to keep or harbor any wild animal within Sedona city limits "except as provided by state law," an outright ban on private wild-animal ownership. A separate chapter, 6.20, bans public display or performance of wild or exotic animals without a USDA or state wildlife license.
No wild animal shall be kept or harbored within the city limits except as provided by state law. ... Subject to the exceptions provided in SCC 6.20.040, no person may display or sponsor a display or allow the performance of any wild or exotic animal within the Sedona city limits. ... If there is a violation of this chapter and the person has previously been issued a warning, the new violation is a civil offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,500, plus any other penalties, assessments or surcharges authorized by law.
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
080 states "no wild animal shall be kept or harbored within the city limits except as provided by state law," meaning the only way to lawfully keep a wild species inside city limits is through a state-issued authorization, such as an Arizona Game and Fish wildlife holding permit; there is no city permit path around this ban for private ownership. 20, addresses a related but distinct situation: bringing a wild or exotic animal into the city for public display or performance. 040 for handlers licensed by the USDA under the Animal Welfare Act or by Arizona Game and Fish for educational display, plus the property owner's permission.
A display or performance on city property, including rights-of-way, also requires liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured, with minimums of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in aggregate. Enforcement for both chapters runs through animal control officers, city code enforcement officers, community service officers, or any AZPOST-certified peace officer, who may confiscate an animal held or displayed in violation and place it with a suitable facility or, after veterinary or expert consultation or a court order, have it euthanized.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the display chapter draws only a documented warning under § 6.20.060(A). A repeat violation is a civil offense punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 per animal per day of display, and a further conviction after that escalates to a class 1 misdemeanor. Any wild or exotic animal held or displayed in violation may be confiscated, and the cited person remains responsible for its feeding, boarding, veterinary care, and transportation costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a wild animal as a pet in Sedona?
Can I bring a wild animal to an event for photos?
What's the penalty for an illegal wild-animal display?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sedona
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