Public Conduct in Alexandria, VA

If you live in Alexandria or are thinking about moving there, public conduct are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Alexandria has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of public conduct, and some of them might surprise you.

Public Urination

Alexandria treats urinating or defecating in a public place, or anywhere exposed to public view, as disorderly conduct when done with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or while recklessly creating that risk. City Code Sec. 13-1-30(a)(3) covers streets, sidewalks, waterways and open ground, and a conviction is a class 3 misdemeanor.

Key details: Citation: City Code Sec. 13-1-30(a)(3). Penalty: Class 3 misdemeanor, up to $500 fine. Covers: Streets, sidewalks, ground, waterways. Exception: Proper toilet or portable toilet. Enforced by: Alexandria Police Department.

A conviction under Sec. 13-1-30 for public urination or defecation is a class 3 misdemeanor, capped at a $500 fine under Sec. 1-1-8(c) with no authorized confinement. Police issue the charge on scene when an officer witnesses the act in a public place or area exposed to public view; repeat conduct at the same location can support a separate charge for each incident.

Jaywalking

Alexandria requires pedestrians to obey posted traffic signs and police directions under City Code § 10-5-4, and bars starting to cross once a "Wait" or "Don't Walk" signal shows under § 10-5-5, each punishable by a fine of up to $5 per offense.

Key details: Governing law: City Code §§ 10-5-4, 10-5-5. Max fine: $5 per offense. Enforced by: Alexandria Police Department. Applies at: signalized crosswalks citywide. Right-of-way: pedestrians on "Walk" signal.

Crossing against a "Wait" or "Don't Walk" signal, or disregarding a posted traffic sign or an officer's direction, is punishable under § 10-5-4 or § 10-5-5 by a fine of not more than $5 per offense, issued as a summons to the Alexandria General District Court. Officers most often cite the offense at signalized intersections along King Street and other high-pedestrian corridors.

Public Alcohol Use

Alexandria bans possessing an open container of alcohol in any public park, playground, street, alley, sidewalk or parking lot open to the public, or inside a vehicle parked or driving on such areas. Violators face a class 4 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $250. City Code Sec. 13-1-5.1 exempts licensed on-premises bars and ABC-permitted special events.

Key details: Citation: City Code Sec. 13-1-5.1. Penalty: Class 4 misdemeanor, up to $250 fine. Covers: Parks, streets, sidewalks, lots, vehicles. Exempts: ABC-licensed bars, permitted special events. Enforced by: Alexandria Police Department.

First and later offenses are each a class 4 misdemeanor under Sec. 13-1-5.1(a), capped at a $250 fine under the general misdemeanor penalty schedule in Sec. 1-1-8(d); there is no jail time authorized for this class. The Alexandria Police Department issues the citation on-site, and the case is heard in Alexandria General District Court like other misdemeanor charges.

Loitering Rules

Alexandria makes it unlawful to stand, assemble or loiter on a sidewalk, street or public way so as to block passage, and requires the group to disperse when asked by a property owner or police officer. The same section bans sleeping in a public park, square or sidewalk area between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Violations are a class 3 misdemeanor under City Code Sec. 13-1-24.

Key details: Citation: City Code Sec. 13-1-24. Penalty: Class 3 misdemeanor, up to $500 fine. Core rule: Must disperse when asked, or blocking passage. Sleeping curfew: Parks/squares/sidewalks, 8 p.m.-8 a.m. banned. Enforced by: Alexandria Police Department.

Any violation of Sec. 13-1-24, including refusing to disperse after a lawful order or sleeping in a public park between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., is a class 3 misdemeanor capped at a $500 fine under Sec. 1-1-8(c). Alexandria police officers issue the citation on the spot after the required request to move or leave has gone unheeded.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Alexandria does not ban smoking in parks or on sidewalks, but City Code Sec. 11-10-3.1(d) requires every restaurant with outdoor seating to designate at least one outdoor no-smoking area covering 25 percent of its outdoor seats, with each zone holding a minimum of 10 seats or 10 percent of outdoor capacity, whichever is larger.

Key details: Outdoor rule scope: Restaurants with outdoor seating only. Minimum no-smoking area: 25% of outdoor seating capacity. Minimum zone size: 10 seats or 10% of capacity. Max fine: $25 per violation, per day. No park/sidewalk ban: Chapter 10 doesn't cover public outdoor areas.

Sec. 11-10-8 sets the penalty for any violation of the Smoking Prohibitions Code, including the outdoor patio no-smoking requirement, at a fine of up to $25, with each day a violation continues treated as a separate offense. The $25 figure is also the amount printed on the mandatory no-smoking signage required under Sec. 11-10-6.

The rules around outdoor smoking restrictions in Alexandria lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Skateboarding Rules

Riding a skateboard, moped, bicycle or other micromobility device anywhere in Alexandria's Market Square is unlawful under City Code § 6-1-4. The plaza, bounded by King Street, City Hall and the 100 blocks of North Royal and North Fairfax Streets, also bans motor vehicles, headset-free music and damaging city property.

Key details: Boundary: 100 blocks N. Royal & N. Fairfax St.. Prohibited devices: skateboards, mopeds, bicycles, micromobility. Also banned: motor vehicles, headset-free sound devices. Default penalty (§ 1-1-7): up to $2,500 fine / 12 months. Exemption: city employees on official duty.

Because § 6-1-4 sets no fine of its own, a violation is punished under the general penalty in § 1-1-7: a fine of up to $2,500, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both, with each day a violation continues treated as a separate offense. City police and code enforcement staff can cite riders on sight for skateboarding, biking or riding a moped anywhere within Market Square's posted boundaries.

Compared to other cities, Alexandria takes a harder line on skateboarding rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Alexandria's public conduct rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Alexandria is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Alexandria's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.