Public Conduct in Broken Arrow, OK

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

Public Alcohol Use

Broken Arrow makes it unlawful to drink or otherwise consume intoxicating liquor in any public place, or to appear drunk in a street, vehicle, or public place.

Key details: Public drinking: Unlawful, no general exception. Public intoxication fine: $10-$100 or up to 30 days. Private property exception: Owner's/resident's consent required. Governing law: Broken Arrow Code § 4-16.

Violating § 4-16(a), public drunkenness, carries a fine of $10.00 to $100.00, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

Compared to other cities, Broken Arrow takes a harder line on public alcohol use. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Public Marijuana Use

Broken Arrow bans smoking or vaping marijuana anywhere on city property and treats marijuana odor from licensed use as a public nuisance.

Key details: City property: Smoking/vaping banned on all city property. Scope: Includes vehicles, buildings, parks, facilities. Patients included: Applies even to licensed patients. Odor rule: Marijuana odor declared public nuisance.

Smoking or vaping marijuana on city property, or generating a nuisance odor from marijuana use, violates Code § 7-394 and is punishable under the article's general penalty in § 7-396 (fine of $100-$750 and/or 5-60 days).

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

Loud Party Ordinance

Broken Arrow bans music or noise from a home that disturbs neighbors, with a strict nighttime standard covering loud parties.

Key details: Nighttime standard: audible 50 ft from source. Quiet hours: 10pm-7am Sun-Thu. Weekend hours: 11pm-7am Fri-Sat. Fine range: $50.00-$100.00.

Fine of $50-$100 per Code § 16-12(d); Broken Arrow Police cite complaints, prosecuted in Municipal Court.

Loitering Rules

Broken Arrow makes it unlawful to loiter without business or duty inside a railroad station, on a platform, or anywhere on a railroad yard.

Key details: Scope: railroad stations, platforms, yards only. Not covered: general street or sidewalk loitering. Origin: Code 1970, § 21-5. Exempted: proper business or line of duty there.

The section does not state an offense class or fine for Chapter 19; enforcement follows the code's general penalty provision for unclassified offenses.

Aggressive Panhandling

Broken Arrow makes aggressive begging, panhandling, or solicitation unlawful, including within 20 feet of ATMs and outdoor cafe seating or 50 feet of transit stops and schools.

Key details: Buffer near ATMs/cafes: 20 feet. Buffer near transit/schools: 50 feet. Offense class: Class A. Penalty: $100-$750 fine, up to 60 days. Adopted: Ord. No. 3773, Feb. 2023.

A conviction is a class A offense: a fine of $100 to $750, up to 60 days in jail, or both, under § 16-19(e).

Compared to other cities, Broken Arrow takes a harder line on aggressive panhandling. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Broken Arrow's smoking ban targets indoor places; outdoor areas are exempt, except smoking on a restaurant's outdoor seating area is barred within 15 feet of any exterior doorway or air intake.

Key details: Outdoor smoking: Generally not restricted citywide. Restaurant patio buffer: 15 feet from doorway/air intake. Fine for violation: $10 to $100. Governing law: Broken Arrow Code § 3-90.

Knowingly violating the smoking restrictions of § 3-90 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $10.00 to $100.00.

Broken Arrow is more permissive than most cities when it comes to outdoor smoking restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Broken Arrow is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Broken Arrow, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Broken Arrow's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.