Maricopa County Title XIII restricts camping and obstruction in unincorporated public spaces, but Martin v. Boise (9th Cir. 2018) bars enforcement against unsheltered residents when no shelter beds are available. Cities like Phoenix face similar federal injunctions.
Maricopa County prohibits camping, sleeping, and storage of personal property in county parks and rights-of-way under Title XIII Chapter 4. The 2018 Ninth Circuit ruling in Martin v. Boise and 2022 Johnson v. Grants Pass (vacated 2024) limited enforcement against involuntarily homeless persons unless adequate shelter exists. The June 2024 Supreme Court reversal in Grants Pass v. Johnson restored municipal authority to enforce sit-lie and camping bans even when shelter is unavailable. Maricopa County Sheriff resumed enforcement in late 2024 with priority on sanitation, fire risk, and obstruction. Phoenix dismantled the downtown Zone encampment under Brown v. Phoenix orders. Diversion to Maricopa Association of Governments shelter beds remains the goal.
Unlawful camping under county code is a Class 2 misdemeanor with up to four months jail and $750 fine. Sheriff typically issues warnings with shelter referrals before citation. Property in rights-of-way may be removed after 72-hour notice under ARS 12-941.
Tempe, AZ
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle sit-lie rules.
See how Tempe's sit-lie rules rules stack up against other locations.
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