Mesa, AZ Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

Section 6-1-17 of the Mesa City Code, "Prohibited Use of Public Right-of-Way," makes it unlawful for any person to use a public street, highway, alley, lane, parkway, sidewalk, or other right-of-way, whether dedicated to the public in fee or by easement, for lying, sleeping, or remaining in a sitting position, except in the case of a physical emergency or the administration of medical assistance. The section is codified in Title 6, Chapter 1, General Offenses, and applies to any right-of-way anywhere in the City, not to a designated downtown or business district; Mesa's ordinance is a citywide, all-hours sit/lie rule rather than a time-and-place restriction.

The exceptions are narrow: only a physical emergency or someone rendering medical assistance excuses the conduct, meaning ordinary rest, waiting, or sleeping on a sidewalk or parkway strip is covered by the prohibition regardless of the person's housing status. 00), imprisonment up to six months, or both, with each day of a continuing violation counted separately. Courts retain discretion to grant probation of up to three years under Section 6-1-19 in lieu of straight punishment, and may add a fine and restitution to that probation.

The section derives from Ordinance No. 1659 and has not been repealed or amended in the current code, distinguishing it from several adjacent nuisance sections in the same chapter that were repealed decades ago (Sections 6-1-8 through 6-1-11, 6-1-14).