Public Health Rules in Phoenix, AZ (2026)
7 verified public health rules for Phoenix, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Restaurant Grade Cards
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department inspects every Phoenix restaurant under MCEHC §1 and §3, scoring critical and non-critical violations. Arizona uses a numerical scoring and violation-disclosure model, not a posted A-B-C letter grade card.
Maricopa County Inspects Phoenix Restaurants With Numerical Score
Some RestrictionsRodent Control
Phoenix City Code Chapter 33 requires every property owner to keep premises free of rodent harborage and active infestations. Maricopa County Vector Control investigates outdoor complaints, and Arizona allows rodenticide use within EPA label restrictions.
Phoenix Owners Must Abate Rats Under City Code Chapter 33
Some RestrictionsBed-Bug Rules
Arizona has no dedicated bed-bug disclosure law. Phoenix tenants rely on the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ARS Title 33 Chapter 10) habitability provisions, which require landlords to maintain fit and habitable premises and respond to infestations.
Arizona Has Limited Bed Bug Statute, Phoenix Uses Habitability
Few RestrictionsSyringe Disposal
Arizona ARS §36-2814 classifies home-generated sharps as biohazardous medical waste prohibited from regular trash. Maricopa County operates the SHARP collection program, providing free drop-off sites, pharmacy take-back, and mail-back kits for Phoenix residents.
Arizona Sharps Disposal Under ARS §36-2814 and SHARP Program
Heavy RestrictionsHealthy Food Retail
Phoenix promotes healthy food retail through the Phoenix Healthy Food Initiative, the Reinvent PHX transit-oriented plan, and Maryvale and South Mountain renewal areas. Incentives include expedited zoning, fee deferrals, and grants but no fast-food moratorium exists.
Phoenix Healthy Food Initiative and Reinvent PHX Renewal Areas
Few RestrictionsCalorie Labeling
Calorie labeling on Phoenix restaurant menus is governed by federal FDA rules at 21 CFR §101.11, which requires chains with 20 or more locations to post calorie counts. Arizona has no separate state law and no Phoenix-specific menu-labeling ordinance.
Federal FDA Calorie Labeling Applies, Maricopa County Enforces
Some Restrictions21 CFR 101.11 (Nutrition labeling of standard menu items in covered establishments)
Covered establishment means a restaurant or similar retail food establishment that is a part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name (regardless of the type of ownership, e.g., individual franchises) and offering for sale substantially the same menu items, as well as a restaurant or similar retail food establishment that is registered to be covered under paragrap...
Food Handler Certification
Under ARS §36-136 and Maricopa County Environmental Health Code Chapter 8, every Phoenix food handler must obtain a Maricopa County Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire. Cards remain valid for three years and must be carried during shifts.
Maricopa County Food Handler Card Required Within Thirty Days
Some RestrictionsLooking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Phoenix city rules.
Public Health Rules in Maricopa County →