Sedona, AZ Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCC § 10.20.100
- Who designates areas
- City council on engineer's recommendation
- Eligibility test
- Significant nonresident parking impact
- Who can get a permit
- Residents on the adjacent street
- Base fine
- Not less than $20
- Habitual offender penalty
- Up to $2,500 and 6 months jail
Summary
Sedona's city council can designate residential streets as permit-only after the city engineer finds nonresident vehicles significantly affect traffic, pollution, noise, trash, or residents' access and property values. Once posted with signs, only permit-holding vehicles may park there. Residents on the adjacent street can apply for a permit through the city manager's office.
B. Residential Permit Parking. 1. The city council may, upon recommendation of the city engineer, designate residential areas within the city consisting of streets or portions of streets upon which the parking of motor vehicles shall be restricted in whole or in part to motor vehicles bearing a valid parking permit issued pursuant to this section. 2. A residential area shall be eligible for designation as a residential parking permit area when the city engineer has determined that parking in the area is significantly impacted by motor vehicles owned by nonresidents of the residential area. ... ... 4. Upon application, any person who resides on property immediately adjacent to a street within a residential parking permit area shall be entitled to receive residential parking permits through an administrative process as established by the city manager or his designee.
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
100(B) lets the city council, on the city engineer's recommendation, designate residential streets or portions of streets as residential parking permit areas, restricting parking there in whole or in part to vehicles displaying a valid permit. An area only qualifies once the engineer finds nonresident vehicles significantly impact it, weighing hazardous traffic conditions, pollution, excessive noise, trash and refuse from outside vehicles, unreasonable burdens on residents reaching their own homes, and preservation of the residential character and property values of the area. 090. Any person residing on property immediately adjacent to a permit street is entitled to a permit through an administrative process the city manager sets up; the program is not open to the general public or to nonresidents.
080 makes unpermitted parking in a posted area a civil traffic violation, tickets attach to the vehicle's registered owner, and continuing violations count separately for each full hour. 120 escalates three or more violations within 24 months to a habitual-offender misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
Parking without a displayed permit in a posted residential permit area is a civil traffic violation under SCC 10.20.080, fined per the city council's parking fine schedule (a $20 minimum base fine if contested in Sedona magistrate court, plus a $50 default penalty if unpaid within 15 days). Three or more parking violations within 24 months makes the registered owner a habitual offender under SCC 10.20.120, a misdemeanor carrying a mandatory $250 minimum per count, up to $2,500 in fines, and up to six months in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Sedona street become a residential parking permit area?
Who can get a permit once a street is designated?
What happens if I park in a permit area without one?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sedona
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