On July 1, 2025, hundreds crowded Tempe City Hall to share their thoughts on Tempe’s proposed park ordinance that would require an ordinance to be added to Chapter 23 of the Tempe City Code that would require events of 30 people or more to apply for a permit to use the city parks.
Though the council unanimously passed the ordinance, they later rescinded the action after public scrutiny and spent months drafting a new proposal that has not yet been made it to the city council.
After receiving feedback from the public, the process is under review before it gets presented to the city council. Here are the differences in permits and what they would look like if approved by the council:
Tier 1 includes events of 50-250 people where exclusive use of city property is not required and there are no street closures. The fee and permit process would take no more than 20 days, and some events could qualify for a “park reservation and permit” application.
Tier 2 is designed for events of 250-500 people where exclusive use of a city space is requested. This would mean street closures are requested and would take no more than 30 days to process.
Tier 3 is designed for the large and complex events of 500 people or more. City officials say many events of this size often require police or fire personnel to be present. This would take no more than 90 days to process but would require extra fees depending on the amount of space and personnel needed for the event.
For park reservations and permits, for most events that have fewer than 50 people in attendance, no permit is needed for use of the park. However, Tempe city staff encourage reservations of ramadas for events to ensure exclusive use during an event.
For Tempe residents, a ramada reservation is $25. For non-residents, a reservation is $50.
Concerning alcohol and sound, all alcoholic beverages require a personal consumption permit; the new proposals would also allow alcohol in smaller parks where it was previously prohibited. Amplified sound would be allowed with a valid permit at all parks.
Prohibited activities include:
Smoking, littering, glass containers and leaving items behind is still prohibited and subject to citation. The new proposal also limits ramada use to four hours without a permit.
New changes include prohibiting shopping carts as well as needle and syringe exchange.
Community Services Director Craig Hayton says those who violate the code — such as bringing prohibited items — could be liable for a civil or criminal penalty.
Tempe Park Rangers and Tempe Police will issue citations for those who do not follow the code.
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
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