On January 12, 2010, the Sedona City Council approved an ordinance allowing for the long-term rental of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This ordinance became effective on February 11, 2010 and remains in effect until 88 new ADUs are created or until February 11, 2015, whichever comes first. At that time the ADU ordinance will sunset until reviewed and the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council takes further action.
Sedona’s ordinance defines an ADU as an independent residential living space that can be created within, attached to or detached from a single-family home. An ADU must include provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. An ADU can provide supplementary housing that can be integrated into existing single-family neighborhoods to provide a typically lower priced housing alternative. The construction of an ADU provides an opportunity to increase the amount of affordable rental housing in the community while providing homeowners with a chance to supplement mortgage payments, thus making their own housing more affordable. Even with the current economic conditions, Sedona is still one of the least affordable cities in Arizona in terms of housing.
The ADU ordinance provides specific regulations regarding the construction and use of an ADU. This ordinance is available on-line at www.SedonaAz.gov/ADU or in person at the Community Development Department front counter or by calling 928-282-1154.
The ordinance also recognizes that although unlawfully occupied, currently utilized accessory units are filling a market demand for housing at more affordable rent costs. The ordinance provides an amnesty program with incentives for property owners of these units to gain lawful status. In order to receive lawful status, property owners must submit an ADU application for review and consideration. Property owners with an existing unit who submit an application by February 11, 2011 are not subject to any applicable fines or enforcement actions and building permit and inspection fees will be waived.
Specific information about ADU’s may be obtained from the City of Sedona’s Community Development Department, located at City Hall (104 Roadrunner Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336). The Community Development Department is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 928-282-1154 for information about the ADU ordinance and/or application and permitting process. Community Development staff are available to guide property owners through this process.
