🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Sedona, AZ
Sedona Steps Up: City Tightens STR Rules with Fines and Suspension Power
Sedona Cracks Down on Late STR Renewals and Code Violations
Sedona’s City Council is tightening its grip on short-term rental oversight after a unanimous vote on October 14, 2025, to approve Ordinance No. 2025-10.10. The changes target a growing concern: late renewals and code compliance among more than 1,200 permitted rentals in the city.
According to staff, roughly 30% of owners renewed their STR permits late this year — prompting the city to roll out a single late-fee structure. If a permit renewal comes in up to 90 days late, hosts will owe $50. Miss the mark by more than 90 days, and the fee jumps to $100. The rule was designed to motivate timely renewals, not punish small delays.
Another key update gives the city new power to suspend STR permits when building or land development violations surface. The suspension mechanism acts as a middle ground — it lets owners correct issues before facing full revocation, while still protecting safety and neighborhood standards.
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The ordinance also tightens up attestation requirements. Hosts must now affirm that their property complies with building codes and that neighboring property owners have been properly notified of their STR operations. City staff described the update as a “clarity fix” to ensure owners fully understand their legal responsibilities.
The council also made one small but important tweak — removing the word “monthly” from the fee schedule’s language, confirming that late fees are one-time only rather than recurring.
During public comment, resident Tim Perry voiced opposition, saying the city’s data didn’t show a spike in STR activity that would warrant new restrictions. But council members disagreed, emphasizing the ordinance as a “maintenance” measure rather than a crackdown.
With the ordinance now in effect, the city will soon update its GovOS permitting system and start tracking compliance under the new rules. Sedona’s message is clear: hosting is welcome — but only when it plays by the book.
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