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Sedona, AZ Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Facility
wastewater wetlands (reclaimed water)
Banned
fishing and boating
Banned
all water contact, including wading/swimming
Banned
dogs entering the water
Minors
unaccompanied under-14s not permitted
Administered by
public works department
Max penalty
$2,500 fine / 6 months jail

Summary

Sedona's wastewater wetlands hold reclaimed water, and city code bans fishing, boating, swimming and any water contact there, plus bars unaccompanied minors under 14, under SCC 12.30.184.

A. The wastewater wetlands contain reclaimed water. The following rules shall apply to only this facility: 1. Fishing and boating are prohibited. No water contact is permitted including wading, swimming, etc. Dogs are not allowed in the water. 2. Unaccompanied minors under the age of 14 are not permitted.

View official code

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

184(A) opens by identifying the wastewater wetlands as a facility containing reclaimed water and states that the rules in the section apply only to that facility, not to Sedona's parks generally. Paragraph 1 prohibits fishing and boating outright and bars any water contact, including wading and swimming, and separately keeps dogs out of the water. Paragraph 2 bars unaccompanied minors under the age of 14 from the facility entirely, regardless of the activity intended. 010 explains that because the wetlands is a dual-function facility, its effluent-management purpose is administered by the public works department and has priority over the recreation and park functions whenever the two conflict.

182 bars feeding birds or animals there without written permission tied to wildlife rescue or wetlands management. Together they treat the reclaimed-water facility as a controlled-access site rather than an open recreational pond.

Violations & Fines

Fishing, boating, any water contact including wading or swimming, letting a dog into the water, or bringing an unaccompanied minor under 14 to the wastewater wetlands violates SCC 12.30.184. SCC 1.15.010 makes the violation a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,500, up to six months in jail, or both, and a peace officer or code enforcement officer can issue a civil citation instead of pursuing a criminal charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swim or wade in Sedona's wastewater wetlands?
No. SCC 12.30.184(A)(1) prohibits all water contact at the wastewater wetlands, including wading and swimming, along with fishing and boating, because the facility holds reclaimed water rather than a recreational lake.
Can I bring my dog to the wetlands?
On a leash, on the trails only. SCC 12.30.140 allows dogs at the wastewater wetlands if kept on a six-foot leash and confined to the trails, but SCC 12.30.184(A)(1) separately bars dogs from entering the water there.
Can my child visit the wetlands alone?
No. SCC 12.30.184(A)(2) bars unaccompanied minors under the age of 14 from the wastewater wetlands entirely, regardless of what activity they intend to do there.
Who runs the wastewater wetlands, parks or public works?
Both, but public works has priority. SCC 12.30.010 says that for dual-function facilities like the wetlands, the effluent management function is administered by the public works department and takes priority over the recreation and park rules whenever the two overlap.

Sources & Official References

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