Queen Creek, AZ Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Town Code Section 9-5-8, adopted by Ordinance 847-24 on October 2, 2024, defines \"Camp\" or \"Camping\" as using real property or space as a temporary dwelling, lodging, residence or living accommodation, evidenced by sleeping or preparing to sleep, laying out bedding or sleeping bags, using tents or tarps, cooking or building a fire, or setting up an area with a sense of permanence. On private property camping is prohibited when it creates a nuisance from noise, inadequate sanitation or other offensive conditions, when its frequency or duration amounts to a use barred by the Zoning Ordinance or this code, when it violates the code's rules on mobile homes, RVs, buses or campers, when an unauthorized fee is charged for it, or in the parking lot of a religious, educational, healthcare, retail or similar establishment unless the property is specifically zoned for camping with approved water and wastewater service.

On other public property, camping is barred wherever the federal government, the State of Arizona or a political subdivision has not provided camping facilities or has elected not to permit it, layered on top of the separate Section 9-8-5(K) ban on camping on Town property. Any campsite on private property that violates the section is declared a public nuisance, and once police determine it poses an immediate threat to health, safety or welfare, they may remove the campsite and its contents under Article 4-4, but occupants must first be warned that they are in violation and given a reasonable opportunity to remove their belongings before removal proceeds. Unattended or abandoned camping materials on Town property may be removed and disposed of without that warning step.