Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Tempe, AZ (2026)
2 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Tempe, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sit-Lie Rules
Tempe bans sitting or lying on a public sidewalk or median in the downtown Central Commercial District between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on weekends, under Section 29-70. A first offense is a $100 civil fine; a second within twelve months becomes a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Tempe Downtown Sit-Lie Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsTempe City Code § 29-70
(a)No person shall sit or lie down upon a public sidewalk or upon a blanket, chair, stool, or any other object not permanently affixed upon a public sidewalk or median in the downtown Central Commercial District during the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 7:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays...(e)Nothing in this article shall be construed to c...
Encampment Sanitation
Camping on any public property in Tempe, including parks, sidewalks, rights-of-way and mountain preserves, is unlawful under Section 23-91 unless the area is specifically authorized for camping or the camper holds a permit. The article expressly states it is not meant to criminalize homelessness itself, only the conduct of camping.
Tempe Urban Camping Ban
Heavy RestrictionsTempe City Code § 23-91
(a)Purpose. The intent of this article is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents, business owners and the public at large within the Tempe City limits, and to assure all public property is readily accessible, clean and sanitary. It is not intended to interfere with otherwise lawful and ordinary uses of public property.(b)No person shall camp on any public property, unless it...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tempe city rules.
Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Maricopa County →