Public Conduct in Surprise, AZ (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for Surprise, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Public Urination
Surprise makes it a class 1 misdemeanor to urinate or defecate anywhere exposed to public view unless you're using a toilet or other suitable facility provided for that purpose. City Code Section 34-159 applies citywide, on streets, sidewalks, parks and parking lots alike, and the Surprise Police Department can arrest or cite violators on sight without needing a separate obstruction or nuisance finding.
Surprise Public Urination and Defecation Ban
Some RestrictionsSurprise City Code § 34-159
(a)No person shall urinate or defecate in a place exposed to public view, except by proper use of a toilet or other suitable facility provided for this purpose.(b)Every person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
Skateboarding Rules
Surprise prohibits roller skates, skateboards, in-line skates, rollerblades, motorized play vehicles, non-motorized scooters and bicycles on any city property that the city manager or designee has posted as a prohibited area, under City Code Sec. 34-112. The rule applies only where signage designates the restriction, not citywide.
Surprise Skateboarding Ban on City Property
Significant RestrictionsSurprise City Code § 34-112
It shall be a violation of the Code for any person on any posted city property, designated as a prohibited area by the city manager or designee, to use roller skates, skateboards, in-line skates, street skates, rollerblades, motorized play vehicles, non-motorized scooters, and bicycles.
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Surprise requires anyone smoking outdoors to stay at least 15 feet away from any enclosed area where smoking is banned, so secondhand smoke does not drift back in through doors, windows or vents. Smoking is also flatly banned inside designated dog parks, on top of the citywide indoor smoke-free workplace and public-place rules.
Surprise 15-Foot Smoking Distance Rule
Some RestrictionsSurprise, AZ Code of Ordinances § 22-25
Sec. 22-25. - Distance requirement. Every person who is smoking shall smoke at a minimum distance of 15 feet outside any enclosed area where smoking is prohibited to insure that tobacco smoke does not enter the area through entrances, windows, ventilation systems or any other means.
Jaywalking
Outside a marked crosswalk, Surprise requires pedestrians to cross a roadway by the shortest route straight across, at right angles to the curb, under Code § 54-6. Standing or stopping in a travel lane or an unmarked median is also barred except while waiting to cross at the next signal once traffic has stopped. Police must give a first-time warning; only a second or later violation becomes a class 1 misdemeanor.
Surprise Pedestrian Roadway Crossing Rules
Some RestrictionsSurprise Municipal Code § 54-6
A.Except in a crosswalk, no pedestrian may cross a roadway at any place other than by a route at right angles to the curb or by the shortest route to the opposite curb. A pedestrian may not cross a roadway where prohibited by appropriate signs, markings, devices or by law.B.No pedestrian may stop or remain in the portion of the roadway designed for vehicular use or in a painted or raised traffi...
Public Marijuana Use
Surprise bans smoking or consuming marijuana anywhere on city-owned or city-operated property, in any 'open space' such as a public park, sidewalk, trail or right-of-way, and smoking marijuana in any 'public place' as defined by Arizona's Smoke-Free Arizona Act. City Code Section 34-303 applies even though Arizona voters legalized recreational marijuana, because state law lets cities regulate where it is consumed.
Surprise Public Marijuana Use Ban
Some RestrictionsSurprise City Code § 34-303
(a)To the fullest extent allowable by law, it is unlawful to:(1)Smoke, consume, sell or distribute, store, cultivate, manufacture, or produce marijuana or marijuana products on or in property that is occupied, owned, controlled, or operated by the city.(2)Smoke marijuana or consume marijuana products in an open space in the city.(3)Smoke marijuana in a public place in the city.(b)Reserved.
Public Alcohol Use
Surprise bans possessing or drinking beer or spirituous liquor on any city property, including parks, the community center and city hall, unless the activity falls under the city's special-events beer-permit rules in chapter 38, article II. Being on city property while impaired, or with a blood/breath alcohol level of 0.10 or higher, is also prohibited.
Surprise Open Container & Public Drinking Ban
Some RestrictionsSurprise, AZ Code of Ordinances § 6-3
(a)No person shall possess or consume any beer or spirituous liquor on city property at any time, except when in compliance with chapter 38, article II.(b)No person shall come onto city property under any of the following circumstances:(1)While under the influence of beer or any spirituous liquor, if the person is impaired to the slightest degree; or(2)If the person's alcohol concentration, wit...
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