Pop. 9,684 · Yavapai County
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.
Outdoor burning in Sedona is regulated by Sedona Fire District. During stage-one or higher fire restrictions, all solid-fuel open fires, fire pits, and campfires are prohibited and burn permits are suspended.
Sedona City Code §8.50.020 bans all fireworks within city limits except permissible consumer fireworks on private property June 24–July 6 and December 24–January 3 — and never during a stage-one or higher fire restriction.
Most of Sedona sits within the Sedona Fire District's Wildland-Urban Interface, triggering the 2018 IWUIC building standards: ignition-resistant construction, fuel modification, and emergency-access requirements.
Sedona adopts the International Residential Code with local amendments under Title 15. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are required per IRC R314 and R315 in all new residential construction and substantial remodels.
Yavapai County Outdoor Fire Ordinance 2025-2 governs fire pits in unincorporated areas. Open wood fires are restricted when Stage 1 or Stage 2 fire bans are active. Propane and gas fire pits with on/off switches are generally allowed even during Stage 1 in developed sites.
Arizona adopts NFPA 58 through the State Fire Marshal, regulating LP-gas container size, placement setbacks, and installation statewide for residential and commercial propane storage.
Sedona Land Development Code §3.4.D allows backyard chickens in residential districts only on lots with an occupied dwelling. Up to 4 chickens on lots up to 20,000 sq ft, up to 6 on lots over 20,000 sq ft.
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.
Sedona Land Development Code §3.4.D allows beekeeping on residential lots with the same setback and screening requirements as backyard chickens. Bees are prohibited in shared outdoor spaces of multifamily housing.
Sedona City Code Ch. 6.05 requires dogs off the owner's property to be on a leash under the control of a responsible person, or otherwise contained within real property limits, a vehicle, or specified controlled activities.
Sedona City Code Title 6 requires dog licensing through the Humane Society of Sedona, with current rabies vaccination, and provides for enforcement of pet-keeping standards under Ch. 6.05.
Yavapai County does not restrict any dog breeds. Arizona law ARS 11-1027 prohibits counties from enacting breed-specific legislation. Dangerous and vicious dogs are regulated by behavior under ARS 11-1014.01 and Yavapai County Ordinance 2024-1, regardless of breed.
Arizona criminalizes animal cruelty statewide under A.R.S. Section 13-2910, which covers neglect and inadequate care typical in hoarding cases, and applies uniformly in every jurisdiction.
Arizona Game and Fish Commission rules apply uniformly statewide and prohibit private possession of restricted live wildlife including big cats, primates, alligators, and venomous reptiles without a special license.
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.
Sedona City Code §10.20.170 restricts residential vehicle storage to the garage or a screened side/rear yard. RVs, boats, and other vehicles may not be stored in the front yard or unscreened street-side yard.
Sedona requires all residential parking and storage surfaces to be dust-free — concrete, pavers, asphalt, or 3-inch-thick crushed rock or aggregate. Parking on landscaped areas is prohibited.
Sedona City Code §8.10.170 prohibits abandoning vehicles on streets, highways, public lands, or private property. 48 hours in the right-of-way or 72 hours on any other property is prima facie evidence of abandonment.
Yavapai County's zoning ordinance does not set a county-wide weight or length limit on commercial vehicles parked at a residence, but commercial activity at the property is restricted by home occupation rules.
Arizona law restricts homeowners associations from prohibiting electric vehicle charging stations, while leaving station siting and codes largely to local jurisdictions.
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. for yelling, shouting, or loud disturbing noise.
Sedona City Code §8.25.030 prohibits noise that exceeds community noise standards for more than 15 minutes in commercial and industrial areas, or 5 minutes in residential areas.
Sedona City Code §8.25.050 restricts construction in or within 250 feet of a residential zone to 6:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Outside that buffer, construction may begin at 5:00 a.m.
Sedona City Code §8.25.120 lets sound sources apply for a temporary sound permit (fee $100) to exceed community noise standards. Special events with valid city permits are also exempt from the standard decibel limits.
Sedona's animal control code prohibits keeping any animal that disturbs the peace by barking, howling, or other persistent noise, especially during the 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. quiet-hours window under §8.25.060.
Vehicle exhaust and engine noise in Sedona is governed by Arizona state law (A.R.S. §28-955 muffler requirements) plus the community noise standards in Sedona City Code §8.25.030.
Sedona City Code §8.25.030 allows operation of power tools and lawn maintenance equipment — including leaf blowers — in residential areas between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., provided equipment is properly functioning with mufflers.
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.
Sedona City Code §5.25.100 requires owners to conduct a sex-offender background check on every booking guest at least 24 hours before check-in. No sex offender may rent or occupy an STR.
Sedona City Code §5.25.030 requires an annual city-issued short-term rental permit for every STR unit. No advertising or operating without a valid permit. Permits expire one year from issuance.
Sedona charges $210 annually per STR permit. Operators must also hold an active Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license and collect/remit state and city transient lodging tax.
Sedona City Code §5.25.050 prohibits STRs from hosting any event requiring a special-event permit (weddings, large parties, banquets) and from operating as retail businesses, restaurants, or event centers.
Sedona City Code §5.25.080 requires STRs to post house rules inside the unit covering maximum occupancy, parking limits, fireworks prohibition, noise rules, and trash management.
A.R.S. 9-500.39 requires Arizona short-term rental operators to maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance or rent through a marketplace providing equivalent coverage.
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.
Sedona Land Development Code §5.6.C requires regular weed control as part of landscape maintenance, including clearing of debris and weeds, removal of dead plants, and irrigation upkeep on all approved landscape plans.
Sedona does not impose mandatory drought-stage water restrictions through the city code, but Land Development Code §5.6.C caps turf at 10% of landscape area to conserve water, and the city supports voluntary conservation through the Ripple Effect program.
Yavapai County has no specific grass-height ordinance for unincorporated areas. Tall grass and weeds are addressed under nuisance and fire-hazard provisions of the Planning and Zoning Ordinance. Fire districts may issue weed-abatement orders under defensible-space requirements during fire season.
Yavapai County has no countywide tree-removal permit ordinance for private property. Removal of native trees on state or federal land requires permits from the Arizona Department of Agriculture (Native Plant Law) or USFS. Defensible-space tree thinning around homes is encouraged under the 2023 Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Arizona explicitly authorizes rainwater harvesting under state policy and provides income tax credits for systems, preventing municipalities from banning residential collection of rooftop or runoff rainwater.
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.
Sedona Land Development Code §5.6.E caps fences in required front setback areas at 4 feet. Side and rear lot-line fences may go up to 6 feet. Front-setback fences in RS-70 and RS-35 may reach 6 feet if at least 50% transparent.
Yavapai County requires a fence permit when a residential fence is more than 6 feet tall, 50 cumulative linear feet or more, or made of masonry. The permit fee is $40 at issuance through Development Services.
Arizona enforces a uniform statewide swimming pool enclosure law requiring barriers around residential pools, with cities and counties bound to minimum standards but allowed to adopt stricter local 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.
Sedona Land Development Code §3.4.C and §3.4.D govern sheds, detached garages, and other accessory structures. They must meet the principal building's setbacks, lot coverage, and height limits within the underlying zone.
Converting a garage to livable space in unincorporated Yavapai County requires a residential remodel building permit. The space must meet IRC habitable-room standards, and if a separate dwelling unit is created, Section 537 ADU rules apply.
Pool construction in Sedona requires a building permit from the Community Development Department, with separate plumbing and electrical inspections under the adopted International codes.
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.
Arizona's pool barrier statute treats spas and hot tubs differently, allowing a locking safety cover meeting ASTM standards in lieu of a perimeter fence under A.R.S. Section 36-1681.
Arizona aligns with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and enforces state barrier laws, applying uniformly to public and certain private pools throughout the state.
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.
Home occupations in Sedona are an accessory use subject to LDC §3.4.D limits. They must not change the residential character of the property — no exterior alterations, no recognizable nonresidential signs, sounds, vibration, or equipment displays.
Arizona's cottage food law allows registered home producers to sell non-potentially hazardous foods directly to consumers statewide, preempting most local food permit requirements.
Arizona requires state-level certification or licensing for in-home child care above defined child counts, preempting local approval of caregiver qualifications and ratios.
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.
Security lighting in Sedona must be aimed and shielded so direct illumination is confined to property boundaries. Motion-sensing fixtures must shut off when motion ceases — no leaving them on as ambient lighting.
Sedona's outdoor light control rules under Ch. 8.30 require all fixtures — including security lighting — to be aimed and shielded so direct illumination is confined to the source property and does not cross onto public or private streets.
Sedona allows permanent outdoor string lighting but it may not flash, blink, fade, or strobe. The lumens count toward the partially-shielded cap of 5,500 lm per net acre.
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.
The 2018 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, adopted by Sedona Fire District, requires defensible space of 100 feet (or to the lot line) around all buildings, maintained at least annually.
Yavapai County requires a Grading Permit (PB-22) for cuts/fills exceeding thresholds in the Planning and Zoning Ordinance. Sites must implement erosion and sediment controls meeting the AZPDES General Construction Permit. Buildings in erosion-hazard areas need foundations three or more feet below projected scour depth.
Yavapai County Flood Control District Ordinance 2010-1 governs construction in FEMA-mapped floodplains. A Floodplain Use Permit is required before any building, grading, or filling. Residential structures must have the lowest finished floor at least one foot above the 100-year Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
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.
Sedona offers a curbside yard waste collection program through the city's Public Works department for residents to recycle green waste.
HOAs in Sedona operate under Arizona Planned Communities Act (A.R.S. §33-1801 et seq.) and Condominium Act (§33-1241 et seq.). City code provides minimum standards; HOAs may be stricter but never less than city or state law.
Under A.R.S. § 33-1807, unpaid assessments in an Arizona planned community become an automatic lien on the lot, and the association may charge late fees and interest if the declaration allows. The lien may be foreclosed like a mortgage, but only once the owner is delinquent 18 months or owes $10,000 or more.
Arizona heavily regulates HOA governance: A.R.S. § 33-1804 requires open board and member meetings (with limited executive sessions) and lets members record them, A.R.S. § 33-1812 mandates absentee ballots and permits secret ballots for board elections, and A.R.S. § 33-1805 makes association financial and other records open to members for inspection.
A.R.S. § 33-1803 lets an Arizona HOA board impose 'reasonable monetary penalties' for violations of the declaration, bylaws, and rules — but only 'after notice and an opportunity to be heard.' The statute also caps any late charge on an unpaid penalty at the greater of $15 or 10% of the penalty.
Arizona overrides HOA bans on several protected uses: A.R.S. § 33-1816 bars prohibiting solar energy devices, and A.R.S. § 33-1808 bars prohibiting the U.S. and Arizona flags, political signs (71 days before a primary to 15 days after the general election), and real-estate 'for sale' / open-house signs. HOAs may set only reasonable, non-defeating restrictions.
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.
Sedona City Code §8.05.070 requires waste containers to be stored on private property in a clean, sanitary condition with lids closed between collections — not stored in the right-of-way or in front-yard view.
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.
Proposition 207 and ARS Title 36 Chapter 28.2 set uniform statewide limits on adult-use cannabis home cultivation that municipalities cannot prohibit or expand.
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.
Sedona LDC Article 6 allows temporary off-premises signs to direct vehicular traffic to a garage sale or an open house for a specific residential unit, as a narrow exception to the city's strict sign limits.
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.
Yavapai County Ordinance 1997-1 (Curfew Hours Ordinance) establishes a juvenile curfew in unincorporated areas, enforced by the Sheriff. Cities including Cottonwood, Prescott, Sedona, and Prescott Valley have their own city curfew ordinances inside city limits.
Unincorporated Yavapai County has no rent control or rent-stabilization ordinance, and Arizona state law preempts any attempt to adopt one. Arizona Revised Statutes Section 33-1329 declares that the imposition of rent control on private residential housing units by cities (including charter cities), towns, and counties is a matter of statewide concern and explicitly strips local governments of the power to control rents. As a result, landlords in Yavapai County may set initial rents and adjust rents on renewal without any cap. For month-to-month tenancies, A.R.S. Sec. 33-1375 requires 30 days' advance written notice before a rent change takes effect; week-to-week tenancies require 10 days' written notice. Mobile-home parks fall under a separate framework (A.R.S. Title 33, Ch. 11), but that framework also does not authorize local rent caps. Tenants facing affordability problems may apply for Yavapai County Community Health Services emergency rental assistance, but no statutory rent ceiling applies.
Unincorporated Yavapai County does not have a just-cause eviction ordinance, and Arizona has not enacted statewide just-cause protection. Evictions are governed by the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act at A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10 (Sections 33-1301 through 33-1381), which permits termination on specific statutory grounds: nonpayment of rent (5-day notice under A.R.S. Sec. 33-1368), material noncompliance with the lease or health/safety violations (10-day cure notice under A.R.S. Sec. 33-1368), material and irreparable breach such as illegal activity or property damage (immediate termination under A.R.S. Sec. 33-1368(A)), and end-of-term or month-to-month termination on 30 days' written notice under A.R.S. Sec. 33-1375. Self-help evictions — lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings — are prohibited under A.R.S. Sec. 33-1367, and tenants may recover actual damages plus an amount equal to two months' rent. Local just-cause ordinances are not authorized by Arizona law.
Under A.R.S. § 33-1368, Arizona landlords must give a 5-day written notice for nonpayment of rent and a 10-day notice to cure for other material lease violations before filing. Material and irreparable breaches allow immediate termination. Evictions proceed as special detainer actions under A.R.S. § 33-1377, with trial set 3–6 days out.
A.R.S. § 33-1324 requires Arizona landlords to keep rentals fit and habitable — meeting building codes, maintaining electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, and supplying running water and heat. If a landlord fails to act, A.R.S. § 33-1361 lets tenants terminate after a 5-day or 10-day notice, and § 33-1363 allows repair-and-deduct.
Under A.R.S. § 33-1343, an Arizona landlord must give at least two days' notice of intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times for legitimate purposes such as inspections, repairs, or showings. No notice is required in a genuine emergency, and access may not be abused to harass the tenant.
Arizona caps late fees only by a reasonableness standard. A.R.S. § 33-1368 lets a landlord charge a 'reasonable late fee set forth in a written rental agreement.' There is no fixed dollar limit, no percentage cap, and no statutory grace period — rent is late the day after it is due.
A.R.S. § 33-1375 requires 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (10 days week-to-week). Breaking a fixed-term lease early can incur damages, though landlords must mitigate. A.R.S. § 33-1318 lets domestic-violence and sexual-assault victims terminate early; military servicemembers terminate under the federal SCRA.
Arizona has no statutory cap on how much a landlord may raise rent and no dedicated rent-increase notice statute. For a month-to-month tenancy, a rent change is implemented by serving the 30-day termination/change notice tied to the periodic rental date under A.R.S. § 33-1375. Fixed-term leases cannot be raised mid-term.
Arizona caps security deposits at one and one-half month's rent. After the tenancy ends and the tenant requests it, a landlord has 14 days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) to return the deposit with an itemized list of deductions. Wrongful retention exposes the landlord to damages of twice the amount withheld.
Arizona's adverse possession periods are tiered: 2 years by right of possession alone (A.R.S. § 12-522), 3 years under color of title (§ 12-523), 5 years under a recorded deed with taxes paid (§§ 12-524, 12-525), and a 10-year catch-all (§ 12-526). Possession must be open, hostile, and continuous; removal is by court action.
Arizona commercial drone pilots operate under FAA Part 107 and ARS 13-3729 state rules, with cities barred from imposing separate licensing or operational regulations.
ARS 13-3729 expressly preempts Arizona cities and counties from regulating recreational drone operations, reserving authority to the state and FAA.
Arizona's ARS 23-204 preempts cities and counties from adopting employer wage rules beyond the state minimum wage and benefits framework.
Arizona preempts most local paid leave mandates, while requiring statewide earned paid sick time under Proposition 206 and ARS 23-371.
Arizona's ARS 23-204 prevents cities from enacting predictive scheduling, fair workweek, or shift change pay ordinances on private employers.
Arizona allows permitless concealed carry for adults 21 and older, while still issuing optional CCW permits that enable reciprocity with other states.
Arizona broadly preempts cities, towns, and counties from regulating firearms, ammunition, components, and related accessories beyond state law.
Arizona permits open carry of firearms by adults 18 and older without a license in most public spaces, subject to limited location restrictions.
Arizona allows adults 21 and older to carry loaded firearms openly or concealed in private vehicles without a permit, subject to limited restrictions.
Arizona requires every employer in the state to use the federal E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired workers.
Arizona law prohibits any city, county, or agency from limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, effectively banning sanctuary policies statewide.
Arizona limits local zoning power over agricultural land, protecting commercial farming activities from overly restrictive land-use regulation.
Arizona's Right to Farm Act in ARS 3-112 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits when surrounding land use changes.
Arizona prohibits cities, towns, and counties from regulating or banning auxiliary containers like plastic bags, cups, and bottles under ARS 9-500.38.
Arizona preempts local bans and fees on polystyrene foam food containers as auxiliary containers under ARS 9-500.38 and ARS 11-269.16.
Arizona's auxiliary container preemption blocks cities and counties from banning, taxing, or regulating plastic straws and stirrers.
Arizona law voids HOA covenants that effectively prohibit solar energy devices, preempting community restrictions and requiring associations to allow reasonable installations under A.R.S. Section 33-1816.
Arizona requires expedited residential solar permitting under SolarAPP+ adoption laws and provides statewide property tax exemptions for residential solar energy devices under A.R.S. Section 42-11054.
Arizona prohibits the sale or furnishing of tobacco, vapor products, and alternative nicotine products to anyone under age 21 under ARS 36-798.
Arizona has no statewide flavor ban and preempts most local tobacco product sales restrictions, leaving flavored sales generally lawful.
Arizona requires retailers to verify ID and bars sales of vapor products and e-cigarettes to anyone under 21 under ARS 36-798.03.