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Board adopts ordinance banning public defecation and urination in unincorporated county areas
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Ordinance P37 to prohibit public defecation and urination on sidewalks, parks, bus stops and other public spaces in unincorporated Maricopa County; sponsors said the measure is a public-health and quality-of-life tool after town-hall concerns from Sun City residents.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously June 10 to adopt Ordinance P37, which prohibits defecation and urination in public locations not intended or marked for that purpose in unincorporated county areas.
Vice Chair Leco, who sponsored the ordinance, said the initiative grew from constituent concern raised at a recent Sun City town hall that drew about 400 attendees. "We had a town hall in Sun City recently and there were about 400 people in attendance," Leco said, noting residents and recreation center managers reported incidents in parks and recreation areas.
The county manager and representatives from the County Attorney's Office described the ordinance as a public-health tool for unincorporated areas and noted two letters of support from Sun City stakeholders. When asked about enforcement, the county manager said the county will work with law enforcement and public-health staff to address incidents and that the measure provides an additional tool for officers and code-enforcement staff.
Several supervisors framed the ordinance as a quality-of-life measure for neighborhoods and small businesses. After debate and a roll-call vote, Supervisors Stewart, Galvin, Leco, Gallardo and Chair Brophy McGee each voted in favor and the ordinance passed unanimously.
What happens next: The ordinance applies to unincorporated areas and will be enforced within the limits of local authority; staff said additional implementation details and enforcement procedures will be provided through county departments.
Vote: Unanimous.
