How Fullerton Handles Public Conduct: A Practical Guide

Fullerton maintains 149 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with public conduct. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Fullerton falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Loitering Rules

Fullerton bans sitting, lying, sleeping or storing personal property in ways that block sidewalks, driveways, entrances or medians. FMC § 7.36.020 and § 7.36.030 set specific 10-foot and 500-foot buffer zones around doorways, hydrants, ATMs and schools, enforced as a public nuisance under Chapter 7.36.

Key details: Governing chapter: FMC Chapter 7.36, Ord. 3338 (2025). Buffer from entrances/hydrants/ATMs: 10 feet. School/day care buffer: 500 feet. Civil penalty range: $250 to $25,000 per day. Loading/unloading exception: Up to 1 hour.

Violations are declared a public nuisance under FMC § 7.36.050(A). The City Attorney can sue to restrain, enjoin or abate a violation, and any violator faces civil penalties of not less than $250 nor more than $25,000 per day the violation continues, plus any criminal sanctions or administrative penalties available under FMC Chapter 1.10. Remedies are cumulative; using one does not bar the city from pursuing others.

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

Jaywalking

Fullerton pedestrians must use a marked crosswalk when crossing within the Business District: FMC § 8.36.020 makes any other roadway crossing there unlawful. The rule doesn't extend citywide; it applies only inside the Business District the City Traffic Engineer maps, who also sets mid-block crosswalks up to 15 feet wide under § 8.36.010. Violations are cited as Vehicle Code infractions with escalating fines.

Key details: Rule applies: Business District only, not citywide. Requirement: Cross only at a marked crosswalk. Mid-block crosswalk width: Up to 15 feet. First conviction fine: Up to $100. Second conviction (1 yr): Up to $200.

A § 8.36.020 crossing violation is an infraction under FMC § 1.08.020: a fine not exceeding $100 on a first conviction, not exceeding $200 for a second conviction within one year, and not exceeding $250 for a third or subsequent conviction within that year. Cal. Vehicle Code §§ 40000.1 and 42001 supply the underlying infraction authority, and Police Department officers issue the citations.

The rules around jaywalking in Fullerton lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Public Alcohol Use

Fullerton bans drinking alcohol in any public place or place open to the public, including inside a car parked on a public street. FMC § 7.17.010 covers streets, sidewalks, parks and parking lots, with narrow carve-outs for licensed premises and permitted special events.

Key details: Governing section: FMC § 7.17.010. Covers: Streets, parks, lots, parked cars. Licensed premises: Exempt if ABC-licensed. Special events: Exempt with ABC temp permit. Penalty class: Misdemeanor, FMC § 7.17.020.

Fullerton Municipal Code § 7.17.020 makes any violation of Chapter 7.17, including the public-drinking ban in § 7.17.010, a misdemeanor. Fullerton police officers can cite or arrest a person found drinking on a street, sidewalk, park bench or parking lot, or seated in a parked car with an open container, unless the location falls within the ABC-licensed-premises or permitted-special-event exception.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fullerton actively enforces its public alcohol use requirements.

Aggressive Panhandling

Fullerton bars accosting anyone in a public place to beg or solicit alms or payment for an unrequested token service, but the ban only reaches within 50 feet of a business, or anywhere in a shopping mall's parking and common areas, and exempts licensed nonprofit fundraising.

Key details: Governing section: FMC § 7.106.030, Solicitation. Prohibited act: Accosting to beg or solicit alms/token service. Geographic reach: Within 50 feet of a business. Mall extension: Entire parking and common areas. Nonprofit exemption: Licensed nonprofit solicitors excluded.

Chapter 7.106 does not carry its own separate penalty section in the code text; solicitation that violates Section 7.106.030 is enforced under the city's general municipal code violation and penalty provisions applicable to Title 7 offenses. The ordinance's victim definition in Section 7.106.030(C) lets both the accosted individual and the affected business owner or employees support enforcement action.

Public Urination

Fullerton makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate in a public place, a place open to public view, or private property entered without the owner's consent, with restroom fixtures the only carved-out exception, and any violation charged as a misdemeanor.

Key details: Governing section: FMC § 7.110.010, Public Excretion. Banned settings: Public place, public view, unconsented private entry. Exception: Bathroom/restroom fixtures only. Penalty: Misdemeanor, § 7.110.030. Adopted: Ordinance 2343 (1981).

Section 7.110.030 makes any violation of Chapter 7.110, including the public excretion ban in Section 7.110.010, a misdemeanor under Fullerton Municipal Code, carrying the same criminal classification the city applies to public nudity violations under the same chapter.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Smoking a cigarette, cigar or other tobacco-related product is banned on Fullerton's public recreational trails, at Laguna Lake Park, in any park within a very high fire hazard severity zone, and in any other area the City Manager posts with a "No Smoking" sign, under Fullerton Code of Ordinances Section 9.12.325. Breaking the ban is an infraction.

Key details: Governing section: FMC § 9.12.325. Banned locations: Trails, Laguna Lake Park, fire-hazard zones. Also banned: Any posted "No Smoking" area. Sign authority: Parks and Recreation Director. Classification: Infraction.

Subsection (D) makes any violation of Section 9.12.325, including aiding or abetting a violation, an infraction, punished as provided in Sections 9.12.520 and 9.12.520 gives the Director, park attendants, parking control officers and police authority to eject a violator from the park, and Section 9.12.530 lets those same officials seize and hold any property or device used in the violation, such as smoking materials.

Compared to other cities, Fullerton takes a harder line on outdoor smoking restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Skateboarding Rules

Skateboarding is banned outright on Fullerton's Central Business District streets, sidewalks, parking lots and other public property under FMC § 8.42.030, and on any private property posted with a required 'No Skateboarding' sign under § 8.42.040. Using a skateboard in a way that creates a nuisance is barred everywhere in the city. Violations are infractions, chargeable as misdemeanors at the city's or District Attorney's discretion.

Key details: Public ban zone: Central Business District streets, sidewalks, lots. Private property ban: Only if posted per § 8.42.040. Nuisance-use ban: Applies citywide. Charge level: Infraction, or misdemeanor at DA's discretion. Continuing violation: Each day is a separate offense.

A skateboarding violation is an infraction, though the city or District Attorney can instead charge it as a misdemeanor, with the complaint specifying which. Each day a violation continues counts as a new, separate offense. The code also lets the city treat a violation as a public nuisance, abatable through a restraining order, injunction or any other method the law allows for nuisance abatement.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fullerton actively enforces its skateboarding rules requirements.

The Bottom Line

Fullerton is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Fullerton, 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 Fullerton's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.