Is it illegal to be homeless in Arizona?
“To be homeless in Arizona is to be a criminal.” according to the Arizona State Law Journal https://arizonastatelawjournal.org/2021/01/13/homelessness-indignity-and-the-promise-of-mandatory-citations-for-urban-camping/
Is it illegal to be homeless in Phoenix?
“The city makes it a crime to sleep in many public places.” Please read 6. “Urban Camping” and Sit/Lie Law https://acluaz.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/homeless_rights_in_phoenix.pdf for more information.
Phoenix City Laws
Homelessness
The following city code prohibits people from sleeping on public property
The following city code prohibits camping on public property (building shelters or using tents)
https://phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/23-30
UPDATE - 5-30-24 - Phoenix is in the process of amending this ordinance as of May 29th, 2024 to make it “unlawful for any person to camp within 500 feet of the property boundary of a school, child care facility, shelter or City owned Park provided reasonable notice of the camping prohibition is posted. See G-7264 for more information
The following city code prohibits loitering. It prohibits access to parks or playgrounds during the hours of closure and prohibits individuals from lingering around businesses.
Panhandling
The following city code states soliciting from someone in a vehicle is a class 1 misdemeanor. Most of the time when I see panhandlers they are soliciting money from people stopped at red lights.
The following city code outlines a series of aggressive solicitation laws such as prohibiting physical contact, solicitation within 10 feet, and following or obstructing a person.
The following city code prohibits panhandling in medians and traffic islands.
State Laws
The following statute defines and prohibits loitering
The following statute defines criminal littering which is a class 6 felony
The following statute defines public nuisances as dangerous to public health including urinating on sidewalks