Public Conduct in Sedona, AZ

If you live in Sedona or are thinking about moving there, public conduct are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Sedona has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of public conduct, and some of them might surprise you.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Sedona's smoke-free air law bans smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, but expressly exempts outdoor patios as long as the smoke doesn't drift into a smoke-free area. Violators face a petty offense fine of $50 to $300.

Key details: Outdoor patio smoking: Exempt, SCC 8.20.030(A)(6). Enclosed public place ban: Smoking prohibited. Fine for violation: $50.00 to $300.00. Hotel smoking rooms cap: 50% of rented rooms. Owner can go further: Yes, declare nonsmoking, (C).

A person who smokes where smoking is prohibited under SCC 8.20.030 is guilty of a petty offense with a fine of not less than $50.00 and not more than $300.00, per SCC 8.20.030(G). Business owners, operators or managers are required to inform violators the conduct is illegal and ask them to stop immediately under subsection (F).

Sedona is more permissive than most cities when it comes to outdoor smoking restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

Skateboarding Rules

Sedona bans skateboards, roller skates, coasters and similar toy vehicles from city roadways except when crossing at a marked crosswalk, where riders get pedestrian rights and duties. Riding on a sidewalk is barred only when it creates a pedestrian hazard, and both rules are enforced as civil traffic violations under Chapter 10.15 SCC.

Key details: Roadway use: Only while crossing at a crosswalk. Sidewalk riding: Barred only if it hazards pedestrians. Violation type: Civil traffic violation. Motorized skateboards: Covered separately at SCC 10.15.200. Governing section: SCC 10.15.050.

Riding a skateboard, roller skates or coaster on a Sedona street outside a marked crosswalk violates SCC 10.15.050(A); riding one on a sidewalk in a manner that hazards pedestrians violates subsection (B). Both are civil traffic violations enforced by the Sedona Police Department through the general obedience clause at SCC 10.15.020, with willful defiance of an officer's lawful order elevated to a class 2 misdemeanor under A.R.S. Section 28-622.

Public Marijuana Use

Sedona makes it unlawful to smoke or consume marijuana anywhere on city-owned property, in any public park, sidewalk or pedestrian thoroughfare, or in any public place as defined by the Smoke-Free Arizona Act. The ban applies even though recreational marijuana is legal under state law for adults 21 and over, and it is enforced as a civil code offense.

Key details: Covered locations: City property, parks, sidewalks, public places. Includes vaping: Yes, defined as smoking. Legal age for private use: 21 years old. Violation type: Civil code offense. Marijuana establishments: Prohibited citywide.

A violation of the public-use ban is a civil code offense under SCC 8.60.070(B), enforced under the procedures in the city's general penalty section, SCC 1.15.010, except where Arizona's marijuana statute, A.R.S. § 36-2853, otherwise controls. Each day a violation continues is charged as a separate offense, and the code allows the city to pursue this remedy in addition to any other applicable federal, state or local penalty.

Compared to other cities, Sedona takes a harder line on public marijuana use. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Public Urination

Sedona makes it a class one misdemeanor to urinate or defecate in a place exposed to public view, or on the floor or interior of a bus or other public conveyance, under SCC 9.10.020. Conviction carries a mandatory minimum $150 fine, and the court can also order restitution for the city's cleanup costs.

Key details: Prohibited act: Urinating/defecating exposed to public view. Also covers: Buses and other public conveyances. Offense class: Class one misdemeanor. Minimum fine: $150.00, mandatory. Extra penalty: Court-ordered cleanup restitution.

A violation of SCC 9.10.020 is a class one misdemeanor carrying a mandatory minimum fine of $150.00 that the court cannot waive below that floor. The court may additionally order the convicted person to pay restitution to the city for any cleanup costs the violation caused, stacking on top of the fine itself.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Sedona actively enforces its public urination requirements.

Public Alcohol Use

Sedona bans open containers of alcohol at its parks and recreation facilities, and separately bars any substance that violates Arizona's drug offense statutes there too. A city permission policy allows narrow exceptions for approved private events under SCC 12.30.150.

Key details: Ban applies to: parks and recreation facilities. Covers: possession, consumption, distribution of open containers. Drug ban: any A.R.S. Title 13, Ch. 34 violation. Exception: written Parks & Rec alcohol permission policy. Amended by: Ord. 2015-03, effective 2-24-2015.

Consuming, possessing or distributing an open container of alcohol, or possessing a substance that violates Arizona's Title 13, Chapter 34 drug offenses, at a Sedona park or recreation facility without the required alcohol permission is unlawful under SCC 12.30.150. SCC 1.15.010 makes the violation a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,500, up to six months in jail, or both, with a peace officer or code enforcement officer able to issue a civil citation instead.

The Bottom Line

Sedona is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Sedona, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Sedona can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.