Peoria, AZ Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Sleeping/camping hours banned
- 10 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. daily
- Bedding setup barred
- 10 p.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Religious-lot vehicle camping
- 3 vehicles max, 7 days/30-day period
- Repeat violation fine
- minimum $500
- Violation classification
- class one misdemeanor
- Enforcing agency
- Peoria Police Department
Summary
Peoria bans camping anywhere in the city, public or private property, except in a handful of narrow situations. Sleeping outdoors or in a parked vehicle between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m., or setting up bedding for that purpose, violates City Code Section 13-7. Camps that threaten health or safety are declared a public nuisance and Peoria police can remove them under Section 13-10.
No person shall camp anywhere in the City of Peoria, whether on public or private property, except as hereinafter expressly permitted. "To camp" means to do any of the following: (a) Sleeping—10 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. To sleep at any time between the hours of 10 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. in any of the following places: (1) Outdoors with or without bedding, tent, hammock or other similar protection or equipment; (2) In, on or under any structure not intended for human occupancy, whether with or without bedding, tent, hammock or other similar protection or equipment; (3) In, on or under any parked vehicle, including an automobile, bus, truck, camper, trailer or recreational vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-9: Supplement contains: LLocal legislation current through Ord. 2026-15, passed 6-16-26).
Full Breakdown
, and separately bars setting up a sleeping site with bedding, a tent or cooking gear at any hour with intent to stay overnight. Section 13-8 carves out narrow exceptions: designated public or private recreation areas zoned and site-planned for camping, City Community Services Department-run camping events, camping in a residence's screened rear or side yard with the owner's consent, and up to three vehicles parked at a religious institution's lot for no more than seven days in a thirty-day period, each occupant holding a valid driver's license.
Camping is barred outright in retail, industrial, office or commercial parking lots regardless of the property owner's permission unless the site is zoned for camping with approved water and wastewater service, and on federal, state or other government land that has not set aside camping facilities. Section 13-10 declares any campsite that threatens health, safety or welfare a public nuisance; before removing an occupied site, the Peoria Police Department must first warn the occupants and give them the chance to clear it themselves. The City Engineer may also enter cooperative agreements with the state or other agencies to post warning signage.
Violations & Fines
Camping in violation of Chapter 13's camping sections is a class one misdemeanor under Section 13-9. A second conviction of the same section within six months is also a class one misdemeanor, and the court must impose a minimum fine of up to $500. The court can additionally order restitution to cover the cost of removing litter, debris, garbage, trash and other material left at the campsite.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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