Pandemic Preparedness: Mask Mandates for Arizona Cities
All infected individuals, regardless of whether they are showing symptoms or not, CAN indeed transmit COVID-19. However, wearing a mask limits the potential spread of the virus, even from those who don’t know that they have been infected. When you wear a mask you are protecting everyone around you and to a lesser extent yourself. We all want to do our part to help reduce transmission and protect the people around us. This small, but impactful action protects the community and those most vulnerable to the virus.
In many cities, mask wearing is being mandated by city officials. For cities that do not have specific requirements, per CDC recommendations, everyone over age 2 without prohibitive medical conditions should wear a cloth face covering while in public spaces, especially indoors and outdoors when you cannot adhere to physical distancing. Each jurisdiction has slightly different mandates, so read the specifics for your city’s requirements carefully. Places of businesses may have additional requirements that vary from the city mandates.
Individual city requirements can be found in the table below. Click on your city/area name for a full list of exceptions and requirements.
Cities/Areas | Requirements | Went into effect | Exceptions |
Avondale | Masks are required at retail establishments, convenience stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, gyms, indoor sports or activity facilities, and medical offices. | Sunday, June 21 at 12:01am | Those under the age of 2 Individuals with disabilities and underlying medical conditions that would prohibit wearing a face mask. |
Buckeye | Buckeye will be following the Maricopa county face mask mandate: Face masks are required in public places. | Saturday, June 20th at 12am | Those under the age of 6 |
Carefree | Face masks will be required in public places and in businesses. | Thursday, June 18th | Those under the age of 5 |
Casa Grande | Everyone is required to wear a mask in public. | Saturday, June 20th at 6am | Those under the age of 6 |
Chandler | Face coverings are required when in public places. | Saturday, June 20th | Those under the age of 6 |
Coconino County | Residents and visitors are required to wear masks when social distancing isn’t possible. | Saturday, June 20th at 12pm | Only applies to the unincorporated areas of the county, not within the cities and towns. |
Flagstaff | Face masks must be worn in public places. | Saturday, June 20th at 8pm | Those under the age of 5 |
Fountain Hills | Fountain Hills will be following the Maricopa county face mask mandate: Face masks are required in public places. | Saturday, June 20th at 12am | The regulations do not apply to people in homes Children under 2 years old Restaurant patrons while they are eating and drinking People walking or exercising outdoors (while maintaining six feet of distance) When in a personal vehicle or other personal space In settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a Face Covering, including when obtaining or rendering goods or services, such dental services, medical treatments or while swimming For persons who fall into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance for those who should not wear face coverings due to a medical or mental health condition or developmental disability |
Gilbert | Face coverings are required in places where physical distancing isn’t possible, for both indoor and outdoor spaces. | Friday, June 19th at 5 pm | Those who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical or behavioral condition Children under 6 years of age Restaurant patrons while they are dining When complying with directions of law enforcement officers Where it is not practical/feasible to wear a face covering, such as the receipt of dental services or while swimming Anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance |
Glendale | People are required to wear a face covering in public. | Saturday, June 20th at 12:01am | Those under the age of 6 |
Goodyear | Everyone is required to wear a face mask in public. | Saturday, June 20th | Those under the age of 6 Those with medical conditions Anyone exercising outdoors |
Guadalupe | People are required to wear a face covering while in public. | Friday, June 19th | Those under the age of 6 |
Litchfield Park | People are required to wear a face covering in public spaces. | Friday, June 19th | Those under the age of 4 |
Maricopa County | Face masks are required in public places. | Saturday, June 20th at 12am | Rules don’t apply for cities within the county, only in unincorporated areas Those under the age of 6 |
Mesa | Face masks are required in public. FAQ can be found here. | Monday, June 22 | Those under the age of 6 Private and charter schools Those who have a medical, mental health, or developmental condition that prohibits them from wearing a face covering Restaurant and bar patrons (while eating or drinking) While inside a personal or commercial vehicle that is not public transportation When exercising at a gym when physical distancing can be maintained Inside a workspace not intended for use by the general public Religious institutions or those with religious beliefs that would prohibit wearing a face covering Those complying with directions from public safety employees and emergency responders |
Nogales | Masks are to be worn in public spaces. | Thursday, June 18th | Those under the age of 2 Not required while eating Those exercising outdoors alone or swimming |
Paradise Valley | Paradise Valley will be following the Maricopa county face mask mandate: Face masks are required in public places. | Saturday, June 20th at 12am | The regulations do not apply to people in their homes Children under 2 years old Restaurant patrons while they are eating and drinking People walking or exercising outdoors (while maintaining six feet of distance) When in a personal vehicle (with only household members), office or other personal space Recognized medical exceptions (people do not have to provide proof) |
Payson | Masks are to be worn in public spaces. | Thursday, June 18th at 5pm | Those under the age of 2 |
Peoria | Face masks are required in public places. | Monday, June 22 at 6am | Those under the age of 6 |
Phoenix | Everyone over the age of six years old must wear a face mask while in a public area within Phoenix. | Saturday, June 20 at 6am | Those with a medical condition or disability who are under 6 years of age Those with religious beliefs that prevent them from wearing a face covering Restaurant patrons while they are eating/drinking Those exercising outdoors (as long as physical distanding can be maintained) Those engaging in team sports or exercising where it is not feasible to wear a mask People in settings where it is not practical to wear a face covering (e.g., receiving dental services) |
Queen Creek | Queen Creek will be following the Maricopa county face mask mandate: Face masks are required in public places. | Saturday, June 20th at 12am | The regulations do not apply to people in their homes Children under 2 years old Restaurant patrons while they are eating and drinking People walking or exercising outdoors (while maintaining six feet of distance) When in a personal vehicle (with only household members), office or other personal space Recognized medical exceptions (people do not have to provide proof) |
Santa Cruz County | County residents are required to wear face coverings while in public. This jurisdiction does not apply to cities within the county, unless indicated otherwise by the city. | Sunday, June 21st | Those under the age of 2 Those at a food establishment may remove their masks while eating / drinking Jail inmates Those who are swimming Law enforcement officers (if it is creating a risk) |
Scottsdale | Masks are to be worn in public spaces. | Friday, June 19th | Those under the age of 6 Those exercising outdoors Those with a medical condition that prohibits them from wearing a face covering |
Surprise | Face coverings are required within the city when physical distancing is not possible. | Saturday, June 20th | Those aged 2 and under |
Tempe | Masks are to be worn in public spaces. | Thursday, June 18th | If religious beliefs conflict with wearing face coverings Those exercising outdoors Those under the age of 6 Those with certain medical conditions |
Tolleson | Masks are to be worn in public spaces. | Saturday, June 20 at 8am | Those under the age of 2 Those with medical conditions that prohibit them from wearing a face covering |
Tucson | Masks are to be worn in public spaces. FAQ can be found here. | Saturday, June 20th at 6am | Those under the age of 2 Those exercising outdoors Those with medical conditions that prohibit wearing a face covering While in personal spaces |
Yuma | People are required to wear a face mask (both indoors and outdoors) when physical distancing cannot be maintained. | Thursday, June 18th at 1pm | Those under the age of 2 Those exercising outdoors Those unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition |
Cities that strongly recommend face coverings: |
Apache Junction |
Bullhead City |
Cave Creek |
El Mirage |
Prescott |