Public Conduct in Lewisville, TX: What Residents Actually Need to Know

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

Loitering Rules

Lewisville makes it a violation to remain, stay, or loiter in any city park after its posted closing time, unless the parks director has issued special written permission. Anyone found on closed park property must leave when told to by city personnel or police.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 10-67. Who may order a person to leave: Any city personnel. Exception: Director's special written permission. Penalty class: Misdemeanor, fine up to legal maximum. Enforcement officers: Park officers and certified peace officers.

Loitering in a closed park after being told to leave is a Chapter 10 misdemeanor under § 10-27(b): a fine not to exceed the maximum allowed by law, with each day or continuing occurrence charged as a separate offense. Citations may be issued by the director, designated park enforcement officers, or certified peace officers under § 10-27(c).

Jaywalking

Lewisville bars pedestrian crossing only at specific signed locations under Section 15-62, including stretches of Round Grove Road (FM 3040) and Valley Parkway, rather than banning jaywalking citywide; crossing is prohibited only where a posted sign says so.

Key details: Restricted street 1: Round Grove Rd (FM 3040) segment. Restricted street 2: Valley Parkway segment. Trigger: Posted 'no pedestrian crossing' sign. Designated crossing: Exempt within Valley Pkwy segment. Max fine: Up to $500 (Sec. 1-15).

Crossing a signed, restricted stretch of Round Grove Road or Valley Parkway violates Section 15-62 and is enforceable as a Code offense under the general penalty in Section 1-15, which authorizes a fine of up to $500 for violations without a specific penalty listed, with each crossing treated as a separate offense.

Public Urination

Lewisville makes it a criminal offense to urinate or defecate on public property, in a public place, or in public view anywhere in city limits. Article IV of Chapter 8, adopted in 2021, defines public place broadly and offers only one defense: using an actual restroom.

Key details: Governing section: Sec. 8-72, Chapter 8 Miscellaneous Offenses. Adopted: 0406-21-ORD, effective November 15, 2021. Covers: Public property, public places, and public view. Only defense: Using an actual restroom. Max fine: $500 per offense under Sec. 1-15.

A violation is punished under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-15, which caps fines at $500.00 for offenses that are not specifically fire-safety, zoning, or sanitation-related. Each act is a separate offense; there is no separate fine schedule for Sec. 8-72, and Lewisville police officers issue the citation on scene.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Lewisville actively enforces its public urination requirements.

Public Alcohol Use

Lewisville bans consuming or possessing an open container of alcohol in any city park, parking area, or interior park roadway, unless the city council has specifically designated the site for drinking. Glass containers are separately banned in parks except at permitted Wayne Ferguson Plaza events.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 10-71. Scope: Parks, parking areas, interior park roadways. Defense: Council-designated consumption site. Glass container rule: § 10-72, exception at Wayne Ferguson Plaza. Enforcement: Park officers and certified peace officers.

Consuming alcohol or possessing an open container in a Lewisville park without council-designated site approval is a misdemeanor under § 10-27(b), fined up to the maximum allowed by law, with each day or occasion of violation charged separately. Possessing a glass beverage container in a park (outside a permitted Wayne Ferguson Plaza event) is a separate § 10-72 offense.

Aggressive Panhandling

Lewisville bars standing, sitting or otherwise occupying a roadway, median or right-of-way to solicit a ride, contribution, employment or business from vehicle occupants, and separately bars soliciting to watch or guard a parked car. Charitable solicitation is allowed only within a narrow, permitted exception.

Key details: General roadway solicitation: Prohibited, Sec. 15-167(a). Charitable exception: Requires permit, Sec. 15-168. Permit filing window: 30 to 11 days before solicitation. Vehicle watch/guard solicitation: Prohibited, Sec. 15-167(b). Barred intersections/hours: 7 named intersections, 7 a.m.-7 p.m..

A person soliciting from vehicle occupants in a roadway, median or right-of-way outside the narrow charitable exception commits a Code violation under Sec. 15-167, punishable under the general penalty in Sec. 1-15: a fine of up to $500.00, with each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense. Soliciting to watch or guard a parked vehicle under subsection (b) carries the same general penalty regardless of whether any permit exists.

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

Skateboarding Rules

Lewisville bans skateboards, roller skates, roller blades and scooters in the downtown business district and the Medical Center hospital district under Sec. 8-3, and requires riders elsewhere to stay right, ride single file, wear reflective gear at night and get permission before using private property. Police officers and park staff issue citations for violations.

Key details: Governing section: Sec. 8-3, Lewisville Code of Ordinances. Banned zones: Old Town business district and hospital district. Night riding: Requires reflective clothing visible from 500 feet. Max fine: $500 per offense under Sec. 1-15. Who cites: Police officers, park director or designee.

Violating Sec. 8-3 is punished under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-15, a fine up to $500.00 per offense, with each day of continued violation charged as a separate offense. Parents who knowingly allow a child to skate in a banned zone can be cited themselves, and park officials as well as police may write the citation.

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

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Lewisville bans smoking within 15 feet of doors, windows, or vents leading into places where smoking is already prohibited, reaching outdoor patios, sidewalks, and entryways. Signs are required, and businesses that fail to post or enforce them face their own offense.

Key details: Buffer from prohibited-area openings: 15 feet from doors, windows, vents. Covered locations: Libraries, theaters, retail, bars, elevators. Sign requirement: Posted at main entrance, subsection (b). Hotel smoking rooms allowed: Up to 10 percent of rooms. Cigar bar exemption: 15%+ revenue from cigars, no under-18 admittance.

A person who smokes in a prohibited public area or within 15 feet of a prohibited opening commits an offense under Section 310.1.2(a). An establishment owner who fails to post the required sign, fails to advise a violator, or fails to request removal of a willfully noncompliant smoker commits a separate offense under Section 310.1.2(c); it is a defense to prosecution if the location lacked the required conspicuous no-smoking sign under subsection (d).

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

The Bottom Line

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