Building Setbacks & Zoning in Sedona, AZ

If you live in Sedona or are thinking about moving there, building setbacks & zoning are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Sedona has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of building setbacks & zoning, and some of them might surprise you.

Structure Height Limits

Sedona caps building height under SLDC Section 2.24.E using two measurement planes. No part of a single-family building may rise more than 22 feet above an imaginary horizontal plane set at the highest point of natural grade, and no building anywhere in the city may exceed 40 feet in overall height from grade to the roof ridge or parapet.

Key details: Single-family horizontal-plane limit: 22 feet above natural grade. RM-1/RM-2 multifamily limit: 25 feet above natural grade. Overall maximum height, any district: 40 feet, grade to roof ridge. Chimney/architectural feature exception: up to 10 feet above limit. Governing code: SLDC § 2.24.E.

Exceeding the height limit is enforced the same way as any other SLDC violation. Under Section 1.7, the City can charge a Class 1 misdemeanor or issue a civil citation instead, with each day the oversized structure stands treated as a separate offense, and it can sue to compel the owner to remove or reduce the noncompliant portion of the building regardless of any citation already paid.

Setback Rules

Sedona's Land Development Code sets minimum yard setbacks district by district under SLDC Article 2. In the RS-70 large-lot residential district, front and rear setbacks must be at least 50 feet and side setbacks at least 25 feet. Every residential lot bordering the Coconino National Forest or an Open Space district must also keep a 20-foot buffer, cut to 10 feet for nonresidential land.

Key details: RS-70 front/rear setback: 50 feet minimum. RS-70 side setback: 25 feet minimum. National Forest/Open Space buffer: 20 ft residential, 10 ft nonresidential. Governing code: SLDC Article 2, §§ 2.2-2.19 and 2.24.D. Violation penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor or civil citation.

Building without the required setback violates SLDC Article 1, Section 1.7: the City can pursue a Class 1 misdemeanor citation or, at the Code Enforcement Officer's discretion, a civil citation instead, with each day the encroachment continues charged as a separate offense. The City may also sue to restrain, correct, or abate the violation, and correcting a setback violation, including removing or relocating an encroaching structure, does not excuse the property owner from fines already assessed.

Lot Coverage Limits

Sedona limits how much of a lot can be covered by buildings and pavement under SLDC Section 2.24.F. In the RS-70 district, principal and accessory buildings cannot cover more than 15 percent of the lot, and total impervious coverage, including driveways, patios, and parking areas, is capped at 30 percent.

Key details: RS-70 building coverage cap: 15 percent of lot. RS-70 total coverage cap: 30 percent of lot. Counts toward total coverage: driveways, parking, patios, walkways. Pervious paving exception: needs Director approval. Governing code: SLDC § 2.24.F.

Exceeding a lot's impervious coverage cap is enforced under SLDC Section 1.7 like any other Code violation: the City can prosecute it as a Class 1 misdemeanor or issue a civil citation instead, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, and it can sue to force removal of the excess paving, parking, or building area even after a citation is paid.

The Bottom Line

Sedona's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Sedona is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Sedona's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.