(Phoenix, January 11, 2026) – Phoenix retailers are facing a January 15 deadline to comply with a new city ordinance designed to address the issue of abandoned shopping carts.
A new Phoenix ordinance requires retailers to secure their shopping carts with locking devices or hire a retrieval service, with compliance certification due this week.
- Phoenix city leaders enacted the ordinance in September to combat the proliferation of stray shopping carts.
- Retailers must choose to either equip carts with locking mechanisms or contract with a private cart-retrieval company.
- Stores are required to submit an annual online certification confirming their compliance with the new rule by January 15.
Phoenix Cracks Down on Abandoned shopping Carts
Retailers in Phoenix must soon demonstrate they are adhering to a new city ordinance aimed at preventing shopping carts from being left abandoned in public spaces. The ordinance, passed by city leaders in September, requires businesses to take proactive steps to keep their carts on their property.
According to the ordinance, retailers have two options for compliance: they can equip their shopping carts with locking devices that prevent them from being taken off-site, or they can hire a private company to retrieve abandoned carts. Retailers must now complete an annual online certification by January 15 to confirm they are following the new rule.
Why It Matters
The issue of abandoned shopping carts has been a long-standing concern in Phoenix, with reports indicating thousands of carts littering streets and neighborhoods. In October 2024, azcentral.com reported approximately 7,800 abandoned shopping carts were present throughout the city. This ordinance represents a focused effort by city officials to address a quality-of-life issue and reduce the burden on city resources used for cart removal. The requirement for annual certification suggests the city intends to actively enforce the ordinance and ensure ongoing compliance from retailers.
The ordinance could also have broader implications for other cities grappling with similar problems. Phoenix’s approach – requiring either technological solutions or contracted services – could serve as a model for other municipalities seeking to address the issue of abandoned shopping carts.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by azcentral.com and added independent analysis and context.
why: The city of Phoenix enacted the ordinance to address a growing problem of abandoned shopping carts, which posed a quality-of-life issue and strained city resources.
Who: The ordinance impacts all retailers within the city of Phoenix. City leaders and officials were responsible for its creation and enforcement.
What: The ordinance requires retailers to either secure their shopping carts with locking devices or contract with a private retrieval service. Retailers must submit annual online certification to prove compliance.
How did it end?: The ordinance was passed in September 2025, with a compliance deadline of January 15, 2026. The city intends to actively enforce the ordinance through annual certifications,ensuring ongoing compliance from retailers. The
