Sedona, AZ Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- SCC 13.50, Storm Water Discharge
- Drainage alteration
- Requires city engineer's written approval
- Appeal window
- 10 calendar days from notice
- Unpaid cleanup cost
- Becomes recorded property lien
Summary
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.
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.
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
50, adopted to comply with the federal Clean Water Act and the state's AZPDES municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit. 070(A) makes it '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,' and defines 'alter' broadly to include changing surface sheet flow through fences, berms, curbs, excavation or fill.
Subsection (B) separately bars changing the quality, flow rate or flow pattern of runoff where it crosses a parcel boundary without the city engineer's written authorization. 080(A) prohibits illicit discharges to the public storm drain system, listing specific examples: soil, rock, trash and garbage; commercial or mobile car washing and pressure washing; concrete washing; oils, fuels, paints and greases; carpet cleaning wastewater; and chlorinated pool or spa water, among others. 090 covers things like landscape irrigation, foundation drains, air conditioning condensate and de-chlorinated pool discharges.
§ 44-1201. A person has 10 calendar days to appeal a notice of violation to the city engineer, with further appeal to the city manager or superior court, and the city may also seek an injunction in Yavapai County superior court against continuing violations.
Violations & Fines
Altering natural drainage or changing runoff flow without the city engineer's written approval violates SCC 13.50.070; discharging anything other than clean stormwater into the public storm drain system violates SCC 13.50.080. The city engineer may issue a notice of violation under SCC 13.50.160 requiring corrective action or immediate abatement, recover all cleanup and administrative costs (which become a recorded lien on the property if unpaid within 15 days), and petition Yavapai County superior court for an injunction against continued violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I regrade my yard or add a berm in Sedona without approval?
What counts as an illegal stormwater discharge in Sedona?
What happens if I don't fix a stormwater violation in Sedona?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sedona
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