Phoenix — Ch. 22 Art. VI Property Maintenance § 22-367
Prostitution; gambling; drug houses
Operative Text
Any premises used for prostitution, illegal gambling, illegal possession or delivery of or trafficking in controlled substances, or any other activity that constitutes a felony, misdemeanor, business offense or petty offense under federal, state or municipal law is hereby declared to be a public nuisance.
Under Phoenix City Code § 22-367, any property used for prostitution, illegal gambling, drug possession or trafficking, or any other activity that qualifies as a felony, misdemeanor, business offense, or petty offense under federal, state, or local law is officially classified as a public nuisance. This designation applies to the premises itself, regardless of whether the owner is directly involved in the illegal activity. The public nuisance classification can trigger enforcement actions aimed at abating the unlawful use of the property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 22-367, property owners and managers are generally expected to take reasonable steps to prevent their premises from being used for prostitution, illegal gambling, drug activity, or any other criminal conduct covered by the provision. Operators who become aware of such activity on their property and fail to address it risk having the premises declared a public nuisance, which can lead to city enforcement action. Maintaining clear lease terms prohibiting illegal activity and responding promptly to known violations are practices commonly associated with compliant property management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 22-367 establishes that tenants living in a building where illegal activity is occurring may be affected by a public nuisance designation, which can result in city-initiated enforcement or abatement proceedings against the property. Tenants who are themselves victims of or witnesses to illegal activity on the premises may have grounds to report conditions to Phoenix code enforcement or local law enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Phoenix housing law can help explain how a public nuisance finding under this provision might affect a tenancy.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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