Moving to Sedona, AZ? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Sedona, Arizona may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 55 tracked ordinances across 20 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Sedona City Code Chapter 8.30 and Land Development Code Section 5.8 require fully shielded outdoor lighting and lumen caps to preserve the night sky. Sedona is a designated International Dark Sky Community..

Also covered: Security Light Shielding (strict), Light Trespass (strict), Holiday Lighting Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Sedona for details.

Fire Regulations

Brush Clearance: Sedona Fire District adopted the 2018 International Wildland Urban Interface Code requiring defensible space around all buildings — 100 feet of fuel modification or to the lot line, whichever is less..

Also covered: Outdoor Burning (strict), Fireworks (strict), Wildfire Zones (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Sedona for details.

Animal Ordinances

Wildlife Feeding: Sedona City Code §6.15.020 makes it unlawful to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly feed or attract wildlife — including bears, javelina, deer, elk, coyotes, skunks, foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions — within city limits..

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Beekeeping (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Sedona for details.

Parking Rules

Overnight Parking: Sedona City Code §9.10.010 makes it unlawful to camp, sleep, or maintain a temporary place of rest in any vehicle, tent, or structure on public property within city limits — a key rule for visitors trying to overnight in vans or RVs..

Also covered: RV & Boat Parking (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Sedona for details.

Noise Ordinances

Quiet Hours: Sedona City Code §8.25.060 prohibits unnecessary, excessive, or offensive noise in residential areas and sets strict quiet hours from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Also covered: Decibel Limits (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate), Amplified Music & Events (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Sedona for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Registration Rules: STR registration in Sedona is part of the §5.25.030 permit process: annual renewal required, AZ TPT license must be active, and emergency point of contact must be designated who responds within 1 hour to public-safety calls and 24 hours to other complaints..

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (strict), Permit Requirements (strict), Taxes & Fees (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for Sedona for details.

Landscaping Rules

Native Plants: Sedona Land Development Code §5.6.C requires a minimum of 75% native species in development-site landscaping. Lawn or turf may not exceed 10% of the overall landscape area, except inside the 500-year floodplain of Oak Creek..

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate), Water Restrictions (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Sedona for details.

Fence Regulations

Fence Requirements: Sedona Land Development Code §5.6.E governs fence placement, height measurement, and materials in residential zones, with separate rules for required setback areas and lot lines..

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Sedona for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Sedona Land Development Code §3.4.D permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with a kitchen. ADUs must share ownership with the principal dwelling and meet the principal building's setbacks, lot coverage, and height limits..

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Sedona for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Sedona City Code §15.50.020 amends the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code to require a 60-inch (5-foot) barrier height — taller than the IPSC default of 48 inches..

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Sedona for details.

Home Business

Home Occupation Permits: Sedona Land Development Code §3.4.D limits home occupations to 25% of gross floor area on the site, allows no non-resident employees, and caps externally visible/audible activity to 7:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m..

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Sedona for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Sedona Land Development Code requires riparian-friendly construction along Oak Creek: minimal-impact creekwalk design, 75% native plants, and restricted lawn turf except inside the 500-year floodplain..

Also covered: Defensible Space (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Sedona for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bin Placement Rules: Sedona City Code §8.05.070 requires all solid waste to be stored in containers provided by the service provider until collection. Containers must be used and stored in a clean and sanitary condition with lids closed between collections..

Also covered: Yard Waste Collection (permissive). See the full trash & recycling guide for Sedona for details.

HOA Rules

CC&R Enforcement: HOAs in Sedona operate under Arizona Planned Communities Act (A.R.S. §33-1801 et seq.) and Condominium Act (§33-1241 et seq.).

Garage & Yard Sales

Time Restrictions: Sedona does not impose a stand-alone garage-sale permit, but garage sale activity must respect noise ordinances (Ch. 8.25), parking rules (Ch.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Sedona Land Development Code Article 2 sets lot and building standards by zoning district (RS-70, RS-35, RS-18, RS-6, RM-1, RM-2, RM-3). Any setback from National Forest or Open Space zoning districts is a minimum of 20 feet..

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Sedona City Code §8.10.020 defines public nuisances to include abandoned/junk vehicles, junk yards, dumping grounds, and exterior areas littered with unused, inoperable, worn-out, or discarded appliances or household items..

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Sedona for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Sedona City Code §8.60.040 prohibits operation of any marijuana establishment within city limits, with a narrow exception for dual licensees operating both a nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary and an adult-use establishment cooperatively in the same shared location..

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Sedona Land Development Code §6.15 prohibits temporary signs in commercial districts except limited wayfinding signs, and Article 6 of the LDC tightly regulates all signs to preserve the visual character..

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Sedona for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Sedona City Code §9.10.010 prohibits sleeping or camping in any public building, alley, sidewalk, public way, or trailhead — including any property owned or managed by federal, state, county, or municipal agencies..

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Sedona includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.