Peoria, AZ Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Peoria City Code Chapter 17 defines the conditions that drive the largest share of nuisance complaints the City's Neighborhood Services division handles. Section 17-3(g) makes it unlawful to place, store, or maintain rubbish, trash, filth, debris, or abandoned construction materials on property a person does not own or operate. Section 17-3(h) separately bars depositing, storing, or maintaining any accumulation of garbage, junk, or discarded items where it is visible from public view, unless the material is set out for collection under the Chapter 22 solid waste rules.

Section 17-2(c) defines 'blight' broadly to include debris accumulation, damaged fences or structures, dead or uncontrolled vegetation, and outdoor furniture showing rot, rust, or decay, regardless of neighboring conditions. Under Section 17-51, anyone with lawful control of the premises, including the utility account holder, is presumed responsible and is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for causing, permitting, or failing to correct a violation. Each day the condition exists counts as a separate offense, with sanctions running consecutively rather than at the same time. The Peoria Municipal Court holds jurisdiction over both civil and criminal nuisance proceedings, and Section 17-53 lets the court order full abatement within thirty days of a guilty finding, authorizing the City to enter the property and clear it if the deadline passes, billing the cost to the owner.

An owner of record can raise an affirmative defense under Section 17-51(f) if a tenant caused the violation and the owner had no prior knowledge or already reported it to the City.