Public Conduct in Tempe, AZ (2026)
8 verified public conduct rules for Tempe, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Tempe bans soliciting money "in an aggressive manner" anywhere in public and sets 15-foot no-solicitation buffers around banks, ATMs, bus stops and transit stops under Section 24-116. Aggressive conduct includes touching, blocking someone's path, following after a refusal, or threatening language, and a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Tempe Aggressive Solicitation Ban
Significant RestrictionsTempe City Code § 24-116
It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit any money or other thing of value, or to solicit the sale of goods or services:(1)In an aggressive manner in a public area;(2)Within fifteen (15) feet of any entrance or exit of any bank or within fifteen (15) feet of any automated teller machine;(3)In any public transportation vehicle or from persons waiting within fifteen (15) feet of a sign desi...
Public Urination
Tempe City Code Sec. 22-13 bans urinating or defecating on any public or private property outside a toilet facility, citywide. It is charged as a petty offense capped at a $300 fine per violation, not a misdemeanor, and has been on the books since 1992.
Tempe Public Urination and Defecation Ban
Some RestrictionsTempe City Code § 22-13
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate in, or upon any public or private property except in toilet facilities provided therefor.(b)Any violation of this section shall be punishable as a petty offense, subject to a maximum penalty of three hundred dollars ($300.00) per violation.
Loud Party Ordinance
Tempe City Code Sec. 5-32 lets police cite any responsible person, including a host, tenant or landlord, at a nuisance party threatening public peace, health, safety or welfare, and bills a rising police service fee for repeat responses to the same address.
Tempe Nuisance Party Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsTempe City Code Sec. 5-32
When any police officer responds to any nuisance party and that police officer determines that there is a threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare, the police officer shall issue a written notice to any responsible person(s). The responsible person(s) will be assessed a police service fee for special security assignments relating to nuisance parties as provided in Appendix A.
Loitering Rules
Tempe bans blocking streets, alleys, sidewalks or parks under City Code Sec. 22-4, making it a Class 1 misdemeanor to obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or block access to a business or residence. The law exempts lawful speech and assembly and does not reach government agencies, City employees or utility crews doing their jobs.
Tempe Public Ways Obstruction Rule
Some RestrictionsTempe City Code § 22-4
(a)Purpose. The intent of this section is to keep all public ways accessible and free of interferences or obstructions that may pose a risk to the persons using public ways or the individual that is obstructing or interfering with the use.(b)No person or persons shall obstruct any public street or alley, sidewalk or park or other public property within the City by committing any act that interf...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Tempe bans smoking outdoors in its desert preserves, like the Papago Park and South Mountain-area preserves, under City Code Sec. 23-111(a)(20): 'No smoking shall be permitted in the preserve.' The Zoning and Development Code plays no role here; this is a Chapter 23 parks-and-recreation rule enforced as a civil offense under Sec. 23-132.
Tempe Preserve Smoking Ban
Some RestrictionsTempe City Code § 23-111(a)(20)
(a)All persons using a preserve shall comply with the following, except as may be specifically authorized by a permit or permits issued as provided in Section 23-112 of this article...(17)Dogs are restricted to trailheads and designated trails, except dogs being used by city police personnel or other law enforcement officers in the course of their official duties;(18)Dogs must be secured on a l...
Jaywalking
Outside Tempe's central business district, pedestrians crossing mid-block must yield to all vehicles; inside it, Section 19-151 requires using a marked or unmarked crosswalk at all, making an unmarked mid-block crossing downtown an outright violation rather than just a yield obligation.
Tempe Roadway Crossing (Jaywalking) Rules
Some RestrictionsTempe City Code § 19-151
(a)No pedestrian or human powered vehicle operator shall cross the roadway within the central business district other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.(b)Every pedestrian or human powered vehicle operator crossing a roadway outside of the central business district at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
Public Marijuana Use
Tempe bans smoking or consuming marijuana anywhere on city-owned property, in any open space such as parks, sidewalks and rights-of-way, or in any public place under the Smoke Free Arizona Act definition. City Code Chapter 22A applies "to the fullest extent allowable by law," also covering sale, cultivation, manufacture and storage of marijuana on municipal property.
Tempe Public Marijuana Use Ban
Heavy RestrictionsTempe City Code § 22A-2
(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.
Public Alcohol Use
Possessing or drinking spirituous liquor in any Tempe city park is prohibited outright under Section 23-45. Only malt beverages qualify for personal consumption, and only with a one-day permit from the Community Services Department; the ban must be posted at every park entrance, and violators face a misdemeanor.
Tempe Park Liquor Ban
Significant RestrictionsTempe City Code § 23-45
The possession or consumption of spirituous liquors in city parks is prohibited, except that malt beverages are allowed for personal consumption with a one (1) day permit issued by the Community Services Department, or by the designee of such department, pursuant to Section 23-56 of this Code. The prohibition of spirituous liquors in any city park shall be conspicuously posted near all entrance...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tempe city rules.
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