Public Conduct in Maricopa County, AZ (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Maricopa County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Public Urination

In unincorporated Maricopa County, Ordinance P-37 makes it unlawful to defecate or urinate anywhere in public that isn't specifically marked for that purpose, naming sidewalks, parks, bus stops, roadsides, and empty lots outright, and separately bans leaving feces, urine, or soiled toilet paper behind in any public spot not designated to hold human waste.

Maricopa County Public Urination Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Maricopa County Ordinance P-37 (Human Waste Ordinance), Sections 37.1-37.2

37.1 Defecation and urination shall not occur in any public location not specifically intended and marked for that purpose. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to sidewalks, parks, bus stops, roadsides, and empty lots. 37.2 No feces, urine, or soiled toilet paper shall be left or abandoned in any public location not specifically designated to hold human waste and/or hazardous materials.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

In unincorporated Maricopa County, restaurants, cafeterias and lunchrooms must keep at least 40% of both indoor and outdoor seating smoke-free under the county's Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance. Bars, pool halls and bowling alleys are fully exempt from that rule. Violators face a fine of up to $500, and an operator squeezed by the 40% floor can appeal to the Board of Supervisors for relief down to 25%.

Maricopa County Outdoor Patio Smoking Rules

Some Restrictions

Maricopa County Ordinance P-3, § 6 (Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants)

The operator of any eating establishment, restaurant, cafeteria or lunchroom must provide for and maintain a separate nonsmoking area of not less than 40% of the total indoor seating capacity and not less than 40% of the total outdoor seating capacity. The operator of each eating establishment shall expand the nonsmoking section to meet the needs of the nonsmoking public if requested. Hosts, ho...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗