Environmental Rules in Sedona, AZ (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Sedona, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Sedona bans altering natural drainage or dumping anything but clean stormwater into its storm drain system without the city engineer's written approval. Violations can bring corrective-action orders, cost recovery, liens and injunctions.
Sedona Stormwater Discharge and Drainage Rules
Significant RestrictionsSedona City Code §§ 13.50.070(A), 13.50.080(A)
It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to alter any natural drainage course, topography, or existing drainage facility in such a way as to damage or endanger by flooding, erosion, nuisance water or any other means any public or private property or improvements without written approval of the city engineer. ... All illicit discharges to the public storm drain system are prohibited.
Erosion Control
Sedona requires a permit before any grading, excavation, filling, or earthwork on private property, and its Grading and Drainage standards exist specifically to keep silt out of Oak Creek. The Land Development Code caps cut-and-fill slopes near property lines, bars flattening an entire lot, and lets the City Engineer require storm water capture so runoff leaving a site is not increased or degraded.
Sedona Grading and Drainage Erosion Rules
Some RestrictionsSedona Land Development Code § 5.3
This section establishes standards that regulate earthwork construction, including excavation, embankments, grading, and drainage on property located within the City, in order to reduce siltation into Oak Creek and to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural environment, including natural land forms and vegetation. ... No person shall do any work in or over any drainage way or floodplain, nor...
Flood Zones
In Sedona's Oak Creek (OC) zoning district, the Land Development Code permanently protects the Oak Creek floodway and its riparian habitat in its natural state. Permanent structures are barred from the floodway outright, and only minor improvements such as trails or recreation amenities are allowed. At least 25 percent of any OC-district site must remain natural open space.
Sedona Oak Creek Floodway Protection
Significant RestrictionsSedona Land Development Code § 5.7.D(3)
(3) Sensitive Area Protection in the OC Zoning District The following standards implement the Schnebly CFA plan; see pages 13-14. a. Preservation of Oak Creek 1. The Oak Creek floodway and riparian habitat shall be permanently protected in its natural state to preserve riparian habitat, maintain storm water functions, minimize flood damage, and serve as an historical focal point of ...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Sedona lets the city council designate areas where a parked passenger bus cannot run or idle its engine, and once the city engineer posts signs under SCC 10.20.070, idling there becomes a civil traffic offense. The rule is narrow: it reaches only passenger buses in council-designated, posted zones, not cars or trucks generally.
Sedona Bus Idling Ban in Posted Areas
Light RestrictionsSedona City Code § 10.20.070
A. When, by resolution of the city council, an area is designated where the running or idling of passenger bus engines, while parked, is prohibited, the city engineer shall erect signs prohibiting such activity. B. It is unlawful for any person to park a passenger bus with its engine running or idling within an area that has been designated with signs, pursuant to subsection (A) of this section...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Sedona requires nonconforming structures that increase flood damage potential to be floodproofed or elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation, called the regulatory flood elevation, under Sedona Land Development Code Section 1.6.D(4).
Sedona Flood Elevation & Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsSedona Land Development Code § 1.6.D(4); § 9.9
(4) Enlargements, alterations, and repairs to nonconforming structures that would otherwise be permitted by this Code and that would result in an increase to the flood damage potential shall require floodproofing or shall be elevated to or above the regulatory flood elevation. For nonconforming residential structures, such structures shall be elevated to or above the regulatory flood elevation ...
Looking for Yavapai County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sedona city rules.
Environmental Rules in Yavapai County →