Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. Mesa requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under Mesa City Code § 8-6-30. A court can impose $250 to $1,500.
What the Mesa ordinance says
| Ordinance | Mesa City Code § 8-6-30, Fecal Matter (penalty under §§ 8-6-35 and 8-6-9) |
|---|---|
| Fine | $250 to $1,500 |
| Must carry a bag | No |
| Service animal exemption | Yes |
How the penalty works
§ 8-6-35 sends violations to the civil penalty in § 8-6-9: a first finding carries a civil sanction of $250 to $1,500. A second finding within 36 months is $350 to $2,500, and a third within 36 months is $500 to $2,500, plus Code Compliance fees. Under § 8-6-11, a fourth violation within 36 months after three prior civil findings is a Class 1 criminal misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of at least $500 per count (up to $2,500 and up to 6 months in jail). Each day a violation continues is a separate offense. The civil hearing officer may reduce sanctions for good cause.
The carry rule
No bag-carry requirement. § 8-6-30 requires the person in charge of the dog to 'immediately remove and thereafter dispose of any fecal matter' left on public or private property, unless the property owner has given prior approval.
Service animals
§ 8-6-30 'shall not apply to disabled individuals who, due to their disability, are unable to comply.' The exemption depends on the handler's inability to comply, not on the dog's service status.
In practice
Pick up every time, bag it, and put it in a trash can. That is the one method that satisfies every ordinance in the country. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in Arizona
Arizona dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: Phoenix dog poop law · Tucson dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the Mesa municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
