Arizona has no dedicated public-urination statute. Maricopa County Sheriff cites under ARS 13-2905 loitering or ARS 13-1402 indecent exposure depending on circumstances. Cities such as Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe add specific municipal codes carrying $500 fines.
Public urination in unincorporated Maricopa County is typically charged as loitering under ARS 13-2905 or, when genitals are visible to others reasonably likely to be offended, indecent exposure under ARS 13-1402, a Class 1 misdemeanor (or Class 6 felony if a child is present). Sheriff deputies use officer discretion based on location, time, and witnesses. Phoenix City Code Section 23-50 directly bans urination or defecation in public, with $250 to $500 fines. Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale carry similar municipal ordinances. Indecent exposure convictions trigger sex-offender registration only when minors are involved.
Indecent exposure is a Class 1 misdemeanor under ARS 13-1402, up to six months jail and $2,500 fine. Loitering under ARS 13-2905 is a Class 3 misdemeanor with 30 days jail and $500 fine. City fines run $250 to $500.
Tempe, AZ
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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 public urination.
See how Tempe's public urination rules stack up against other locations.
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