Did the Tempe City Council  vote to expand permit requirements in ways that could affect protests?

In July 2025, the Tempe City Council approved an ordinance mandating permits for any public gathering exceeding 30 people, including protests and other events that don’t require pre-registration. The rules apply to publicly accessible gatherings on city property, even if informal or organized on short notice. 

Spontaneous protests prompted by current events do not require a permit, but organizers must provide the police chief or designee “as much advance notice as reasonably possible.” Tempe City Attorney Eric Anderson said routine demonstrations—such as weekly protests on the same topic—may no longer qualify as spontaneous and could require a permit, at the police department’s discretion.

When questioned about potential free speech concerns, Anderson indicated the city would recognize residents First Amendment rights, but noted that ”the city is allowed to impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions.'”