City Building Permits
Sedona, AZ Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Sedona, Arizona. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the incorporated City of Sedona. Note: Sedona straddles Coconino and Yavapai Counties, but building permits within the city are issued by the city, not by either county.
- Department
- City of Sedona Community Development / Building Safety
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Sedona Permit System • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Review the permit packet appropriate for your project type (remodels, additions, single-family homes, duplexes, commercial, demolition, pools, solar, fences, signs, tenant improvements)
- Complete the permit application and gather supporting documents
- Submit plans and applications through the city's permit system
- City staff processes applications first come, first served
- Pay application and permit fees
- Respond to any correction comments and resubmit if required
- Receive permit approval and commence work
Typical processing time: Varies by project type; plans processed first come, first served
Source: City of Sedona Community Development / Building Safety
General Requirements
A building permit is required whenever building permit is required under Sedona City Code Article 15. The city provides separate permit packets for different project types.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application specific to project type
- Construction plans and drawings
- Site plan
- Engineering specifications as required
- Building code
- 2018 IBC, IRC, IPC, IECC, IMC, IEBC, IFGC, ISPSC, and 2017 NEC, adopted September 24, 2019, effective October 25, 2019
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold appropriate state licenses and comply with city requirements
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based under Sedona City Code 15.05.060
- Payment note
- Additional fees may include development impact, wastewater, grading, and drainage basin fees
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Detached sheds, playhouses, and similar buildings only if the projected roof area is 120 square feet or less, not more than 7 feet high at the highest point, and has no electrical or plumbing installations
- Freestanding fences and walls not supporting a structure, not over 30 inches high, and not in flood hazard areas
- Retaining walls not over 30 inches high unless supporting a surcharge or certain liquids
- Very small above-grade prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep and less than 8 feet in all dimensions
- Swings and other playground equipment
Important: CRITICAL: Sedona's exemptions are NARROWER than many Arizona jurisdictions. The city deleted the usual shade-cloth exemption and set much lower no-permit thresholds for fences and retaining walls. Always verify with the city before assuming any exemption applies.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Online permit system (online)
- Construction Inspection Hotline: 928-282-3268 (phone)
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 IBC, IRC, IPC, IECC, IMC, IEBC, IFGC, ISPSC, and 2017 NEC, adopted September 24, 2019, effective October 25, 2019
- Verify contractor license: Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AROC) License Lookup
- Sedona Design Guidelines
- License lookup guide: Arizona Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Arizona Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Arizona hub: Arizona Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Sedona Community Development / Building Safety before applying.
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