Mesa, AZ Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Section 6-1-23, "Urban Camping," added by Ordinance No. 5892 (effective 12-2-24), declares that using City property for camping or storing personal property without express City permission interferes with others' use of that property and can create a public health and safety hazard. It defines "CAMP" or "CAMPING" broadly to mean establishing temporary or permanent living accommodations on City property, evidenced by laying down bedding, using camp paraphernalia, erecting temporary shelters, storing belongings, cooking, or living in a parked vehicle, determined by whether the activity, in light of all circumstances, functions as a living accommodation, regardless of stated intent.

"CAMPING PARAPHERNALIA" covers tarpaulins, cots, sleeping bags, hammocks, tents, blankets, and cooking equipment, and "CITY PROPERTY" reaches public plazas, transportation facilities, bus stops, streets, sidewalks, alleys, and any City-owned improved or unimproved land. Subsection (C) makes it unlawful for any person on City property to camp, establish or maintain camping facilities, or use or store camping paraphernalia. Subsection (D) carves out three exceptions: activities in a City park governed separately by Title 6, Chapter 10; temporary structures set up by a government agency or relief workers during a declared disaster or emergency; and activities under an approved special event license, special use permit, lease, or other City permission.

A violation is a class 3 criminal misdemeanor under Subsection (E), and each day the violation continues is charged as a separate offense. The ordinance is enforced by Mesa Police and Code Compliance under the general enforcement authority described in Title 6, and applies only within Mesa's corporate limits, it does not reach unincorporated county land.