Default rule and exceptions
Arizona's statewide Notice of Claim statute (A.R.S. §12-821.01) governs Phoenix: you must file with the City Clerk Department within 180 days of the incident, stating a specific settlement dollar amount, or the claim is permanently barred regardless of fault.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| City of Phoenix (Risk Management) | Process claims filed per A.R.S. §12-821.01 and settle if the City is found liable |
| You (claimant) | File a claim with a specific settlement amount within 180 days of the incident |
| Exceptions | Missing the 180-day deadline bars the claim permanently, regardless of how clear the City's fault is; A claim must state a specific settlement dollar amount or it may be rejected as noncompliant |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 26, 2026.
This claim form is provided to assist in presenting a claim against the City of Phoenix that complies with the requirements of Arizona Revised Statutes §12-821.01 which defines the requirements for filing a claim against a public entity in the State of Arizona.
Persons who have claims against a public entity, public school or a public employee shall file claims with the person or persons authorized to accept service for the public entity, public school or public employee as set forth in the Arizona rules of civil procedure within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues.
The claim shall also contain a specific amount for which the claim can be settled and the facts supporting that amount. Any claim that is not filed within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues is barred and no action may be maintained thereon.
City rules rest on state law. Read Arizona's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for municipal liability: pothole damaged my car in Phoenix, AZ?
It depends on the specific facts. Process claims filed per A.R.S. §12-821.01 and settle if the City is found liable
Are there exceptions in Phoenix, AZ?
Missing the 180-day deadline bars the claim permanently, regardless of how clear the City's fault is; A claim must state a specific settlement dollar amount or it may be rejected as noncompliant
What is this based on for Phoenix, AZ?
This verdict is sourced to City of Phoenix Risk Management Claim Form and 3 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- City of Phoenix Risk Management Claim Formofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
- 12-821.01 - Authorization of claim against public entity, public school or public employeestatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
- A.R.S. § 12-821.01(A): Authorization of claim against public entitystatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
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