How Huntington Handles Public Conduct: A Practical Guide

Huntington maintains 128 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with public conduct. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Huntington falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Loitering Rules

Huntington bans parking, loitering or congregating between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. at the Washington Drive municipal parking lot in Centerport, and between sunset and sunrise in every Town-owned cemetery, unless a scheduled event is underway. Town Code § 135-2 lists the covered sites by name; violators face a fine under § 135-16(A).

Key details: Parking lot curfew: 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Washington Drive lot. Cemetery curfew: Sunset to sunrise, all Town-owned cemeteries. Exception: Scheduled events are exempt. Fine, first offense: $100 to $250. Citation: Huntington Code § 135-2.

A first violation of § 135-2 is punishable under § 135-16(A) by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $250. The Bureau of Administrative Adjudication may impose a civil monetary penalty within that same range for the same conduct in lieu of a criminal prosecution.

Skateboarding Rules

Huntington makes it unlawful to skateboard, rollerblade, roller-skate, ride a bicycle or ride a recreational scooter at Veterans Memorial Plaza. Town-wide, the park system separately confines skateboards to areas the Parks Director specifically designates and posts, so wheeled recreation is off-limits at the plaza and restricted almost everywhere else in town parks.

Key details: Banned activities: Skateboarding, rollerblading, bicycling, scooter riding. Location: Veterans Memorial Plaza, downtown Huntington. Fine range: $50 to $1,000 under § 135-16. Restitution: Required if the plaza is damaged. Park-wide rule: Skateboards limited to Director-designated areas elsewhere.

A conviction for violating § 135-3 carries a fine of not less than fifty dollars and not more than one thousand dollars under § 135-16, and if the skateboarding, biking or scooter riding damages the plaza, the court must order a conditional discharge requiring the violator to pay restitution to the Town to repair or replace the damaged part of the plaza.

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

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Huntington bans smoking and vaping tobacco, herbal products, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pipes, cigars and e-liquids in outdoor playgrounds, athletic fields and beaches under the town's park conduct code. The rule covers only public playgrounds and beaches, not private property or private functions, and required signage marks where it applies.

Key details: Banned locations: Outdoor playgrounds, athletic fields, and beaches. Covered products: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, e-liquids. Exemption: Beach parking lots and private functions excluded. Signage required: Posted No Smoking signs or international symbol. Fine range: $50 to $1,000 under § 159-74.

Smoking or vaping in a posted playground, athletic field or beach is enforced under the Chapter 159 penalty scale in § 159-74: a fine of not less than fifty dollars and not more than one thousand dollars on conviction, with the Director of Parks and Recreation, Public Safety officers or Suffolk County Police authorized to eject the violator from the park.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Huntington actively enforces its outdoor smoking restrictions requirements.

Public Urination

Huntington Town Code § 135-6 flatly bars defecating or urinating in any public place, tying the definition to New York Penal Law Article 240, with the only exception being a public or private toilet or restroom. A first conviction runs $100 to $250, and a third offense within five years can add up to ten days in jail.

Key details: Prohibited act: Defecating or urinating in a public place. Definition source: NY Penal Law Article 240. Exception: Public or private toilet/restroom. First-offense fine: $100 to $250. Third-offense penalty: Up to $750 fine and/or 10 days jail.

Section 135-16(D) sets a fine of $100 to $250 for a first offense, $250 to $500 for a second offense within five years, and $500 to $750, or up to ten days in jail, or both, for a third or subsequent offense within five years. The Bureau of Administrative Adjudication may impose a civil penalty in the same ranges.

Public Alcohol Use

Huntington bans possessing, carrying or drinking from any open container of alcohol on public streets, sidewalks, parks, parking areas, beaches and similar public places, and in vehicles parked or driven there, unless you're on licensed premises or covered by Town Board permission. Fines run from $25 up to $500 for repeat offenders.

Key details: Statute: Ch. 76, Alcoholic Beverages (adopted 1983). Covered areas: Streets, sidewalks, parks, parking areas, beaches, vehicles there. First-offense fine: $25-$100. Third-offense penalty: $250-$500 or up to 10 days jail. Exemption: Written Town Board permission obtained in advance.

Town Code § 76-6 sets fines of $25 to $100 for a first offense, $100 to $250 for a second offense within five years, and $250 to $500, or up to 10 days in jail, or both, for a third or later offense within five years. The Bureau of Administrative Adjudication can impose the same fine ranges for violations it finds.

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

Public Marijuana Use

Town Code § 173-22 bars smoking or vaping cannabis on any sidewalk or street in the unincorporated Town of Huntington, whether you're in a vehicle or on foot. The Town Board adopted the ban in December 2021 to keep pedestrians and property owners free of secondhand smoke and cut traffic hazards from impaired drivers. Violators face a $100 civil penalty.

Key details: Prohibited conduct: Smoking or vaping cannabis on sidewalks/streets. Coverage area: Unincorporated Town of Huntington only. Excludes: Incorporated villages (own separate codes). Civil penalty: $100 flat fine. Adopted: December 14, 2021, L.L. No. 67-2021.

A § 173-22 violation is a civil penalty of $100, set by the 2025 amendment to § 173-23. The Town's Bureau of Administrative Adjudication can impose the same $100 penalty administratively, without the escalating repeat-offense fine structure used for sidewalk-maintenance violations elsewhere in Chapter 173.

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

The Bottom Line

Huntington is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Huntington, 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 Huntington's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.