Public Conduct in Brentwood, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Brentwood or are thinking about moving there, public conduct are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Brentwood has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of public conduct, and some of them might surprise you.

Aggressive Panhandling

Brentwood bans aggressive or intrusive solicitation citywide and bars all begging within set distances of ATMs, transit stops, parking structures, schools and parks. A first offense is an infraction; a third offense in six months is a misdemeanor.

Key details: ATM/bank buffer: 25 feet. Driveway/transit buffer: 35 feet. School/park buffer: 300 feet. First offense: Infraction. 3rd offense in 6 months: Misdemeanor.

A first or second violation of Section 9.12.040 within a six-month period is an infraction. A third or subsequent violation within that same six-month period is a misdemeanor. The city may also pursue any other remedy available under the municipal code or state law, per Section 9.12.060.

This is one of the stricter rules in Brentwood's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Public Urination

Brentwood makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate outside a restroom in any public area, in view of the public, or on another's private property without consent. The offense is a misdemeanor under the city's general enforcement chapter.

Key details: Governing section: BMC § 9.16.040. Covers: Public areas + private property without consent. Classification: Misdemeanor (Ch. 1.20). Adopted: Ord. 999 § 5, 2018.

A violation of Section 9.16.040 is a misdemeanor under Chapter 1.20, enforceable by civil or criminal action as authorized under Chapters 1.16 through 1.24 of the municipal code, per Section 9.16.060.

Public Alcohol Use

Brentwood bans drinking beer, wine or liquor on any public street, alley, sidewalk, parkway or public parking area. Licensed dining establishments with an ABC on-sale license are exempt during regular business hours.

Key details: Governing section: BMC § 9.36.010. Covers: Streets, alleys, sidewalks, public parking. Exception: Licensed dining patios w/ ABC on-sale license. Penalty: Misdemeanor, up to $500 + 6 months jail. Adopted: Ord. 853 § 8, 2008.

Violating Section 9.36.010 is a misdemeanor under Section 9.36.020, punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, imprisonment in the Contra Costa County Jail for not more than six months, or both.

Loitering Rules

Brentwood parks and facilities close at sunset. Municipal Code § 7.02.180(P) makes it unlawful to be, remain, stay, or loiter in any city park or facility from sunset to sunrise, or beyond posted hours, without the parks director's authorization.

Key details: Governing section: BMC § 7.02.180(P). Park hours: Sunset to sunrise closed. Exception: Director authorization required. Related rule: § 7.02.180(Q) bans overnight camping. Minimum fine: $1,000 (misdemeanor).

Violating Section 7.02.180, including remaining in a park past sunset without authorization, is a misdemeanor under Section 7.07.020, punishable by a fine of at least $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both, or the city may issue an administrative citation under Chapter 1.24 instead of pursuing criminal charges.

Jaywalking

Brentwood pedestrians must cross a roadway at right angles to the curb, take the shortest route to the opposite curb, or use a marked crosswalk under Municipal Code Section 10.11.020. Crossing diagonally or at an angle outside a marked crosswalk violates the section.

Key details: Crossing rule: Right angles to curb, or marked crosswalk. Midblock crosswalk minimum block: 400 feet. Standing in roadway: Barred if it blocks traffic (§10.11.030). Unsafe locations: City may ban crossing outright (§10.11.050).

A pedestrian who crosses at an angle rather than at right angles or via a marked crosswalk violates Section 10.11.020, enforced as a Title 10 offense under Section 10.21.010: chargeable as an infraction, misdemeanor, or civil penalty under California Vehicle Code Division 17, depending on how the citing officer and city attorney elect to proceed.

Skateboarding Rules

Brentwood bans skateboarding, bicycling, and roller skating on named downtown sidewalks under Municipal Code Section 10.12.010, including stretches of First, Second, Chestnut, Oak, and Maple Streets. Property owners citywide can also post signs barring the activity, and skateboarding on any public street in a way that creates a hazard is separately unlawful.

Key details: Banned zone: Downtown First/Second/Chestnut/Oak/Maple Sts. Private property: Owner may post no-skate signs. Hazard rule: Unsafe riding banned citywide. Clinging to vehicles: Separately banned, Section 10.12.020. Enforcing agency: Brentwood Police Department.

Violating the downtown sidewalk ban, an owner's posted no-skateboarding sign, or the hazardous-riding rule in Section 10.12.010 is enforced as a Title 10 offense under Chapter 10.21, an infraction, misdemeanor, or civil penalty tied to California Vehicle Code Division 17 procedures, with fines set by council resolution and citations issued by Brentwood police.

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

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Brentwood bans smoking in every city park and recreation facility except areas the city marks off for it. Chapter 7.02 covers all parks, ball fields, picnic areas, trails and parking lots the parks and recreation department controls, so lighting up on a soccer field sideline or picnic table violates the code unless you are standing in a posted smoking area.

Key details: Governing section: § 7.02.130, Chapter 7.02 Parks and Facilities. Scope: All parks, trails, ball fields, picnic areas, parking lots. Exception: City-designated and posted smoking areas only. Enforcement: Criminal misdemeanor or citation under § 1.16.010. Adopted: Ordinance 788, 2004.

Smoking outside a posted area in any Brentwood park or facility is a code violation enforceable under Section 1.16.010: the city can cite it as a criminal misdemeanor under Chapter 1.20, issue an administrative citation under Chapter 1.24, or use both civil and criminal remedies together. Each day the smoking continues counts as a separate offense, so a repeat visitor faces cumulative citations rather than one flat fine.

The Bottom Line

Brentwood is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Brentwood, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Brentwood's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.