Maricopa County Quick Facts

• Covers 9,224 square miles, larger than four U.S. states 
• Includes 24 cities and towns and several unincorporated communities 
• 53% federal land; 29% private land; 13% state land 
• Nearly 5% tribal land, including Fort McDowell Yavapai, Gila River, Salt River Pima-Maricopa, and Tohono O’odham 
• One of the largest regional parks systems in the United States with more than 120,000 acres of open space 
• County seat is Phoenix, the state’s capital and most populous city

• Established as a county on February 14, 1871, more than 40 years prior to Arizona statehood
• Geographical boundaries established in 1881 and have not changed since
• Named in honor of the Maricopa tribes who inhabited the area as early as 1775
• Early economy was based on Arizona’s five C’s: cattle, citrus, climate, copper, and cotton.

• Approved by Board of Supervisors in 1992 
• Protected by state law 
• Current county graphic standards are available here 
  

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A.R.S. 11-251.17. USE OF COUNTY SEAL RESTRICTED; CEASE AND DESIST ORDER; VIOLATION; CLASSIFICATION

1. A person may use, display or otherwise employ any facsimile, copy, likeness, imitation or other resemblance of the county seal only after obtaining the approval of the board of supervisors of that county. The board of supervisors may grant a certificate of approval on application by any person showing good cause for the use of the county seal for a proper purpose. No person other than a county department may use the county seal for the purpose of advertising or promoting the sale of any article of merchandise within this state or for promoting any other commercial purpose. The board of supervisors may adopt rules for the use of the county seal or any facsimile, copy, likeness, imitation or other resemblance of the county seal, including rules for the use of the county seal for official county business.
2. If the county maintains a website, it shall display on its website the adopted seal and the text of subsection A of this section.
3. The board of supervisors shall issue a cease and desist order to any person who is in violation of this section. If the person fails to comply with the cease and desist order, the person is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.