Public Conduct in Midwest City, OK

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

Skateboarding Rules

Skateboarding, rollerskating and rollerblading on school grounds, public business sidewalks and curtilages, or the municipal complex, city hall, library, police, fire and court, is declared a public nuisance under Midwest City's Code.

Key details: Governing section: § 27-3(a)(20), Chapter 27 nuisances. Prohibited locations: School grounds, business curtilages, municipal complex. Max penalty: $200 fine plus costs, 30 days jail. Also banned: Rollerskating and rollerblading, same locations.

Violating Chapter 27's nuisance provisions, including § 27-3(a)(20), carries a fine up to $200 plus costs and/or up to 30 days in jail under the Code's general penalty (§ 1-8); each day continuing is a separate offense.

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

Jaywalking

Between signalized intersections, pedestrians in Midwest City must cross only in a crosswalk: mid-block jaywalking is prohibited under the city's traffic code.

Key details: Governing section: Code § 24-322. Where it applies: Between signalized intersections. Max fine: $200 plus costs. Max jail: 30 days.

Up to $200 fine plus costs and/or up to 30 days jail per § 1-8; each day is a separate offense.

Public Urination

Midwest City bans urinating in any public place not designated or intended for that purpose, a citywide misdemeanor enforced under the city's offenses-against-morals chapter.

Key details: Rule: No urinating in undesignated public places. Citation: City Code § 28-28. Max fine: $750. Max jail: 60 days. Adopted: Ord. No. 3387, 2019.

Misdemeanor under § 28-31: fine up to $750, imprisonment up to 60 days, or both, plus costs.

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

Public Marijuana Use

Possessing or consuming marijuana anywhere in Midwest City is a criminal offense under Section 28-130 unless the person holds a valid, unexpired Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority license and stays within the code's strict quantity limits.

Key details: Governing section: § 28-130(a), possession offense. Medical exception: Valid OMMA license required. Possession cap on person: 3 oz flower, 1 oz concentrate. Max penalty: $200 fine or 30 days jail. Enforced by: Midwest City Police Department.

Violating § 28-130 or exceeding the § 28-133 medical marijuana limits is punishable, per § 1-8's default penalty, by a fine up to $200, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

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

Loitering Rules

Midwest City makes it unlawful to obstruct any public sidewalk, street, alley or passageway, and separately bars standing in a street or median to flag down vehicles for solicitation, sales or handouts under Code § 28-91.

Key details: Governing section: § 28-91, Obstruction of Streets or Sidewalks. Covers: Sidewalks, streets, alleys, bridges, passageways. Vehicle solicitation ban: No flagging cars to sell or solicit. Default penalty: Up to $200 fine, 30 days jail. Enforced by: Midwest City Police Department.

No specific fine is set for § 28-91; as an unspecified offense it defaults to Code § 1-8's general penalty: a fine up to $200 plus costs, up to 30 days jail, or both.

Aggressive Panhandling

Midwest City bans standing in a street or roadway to solicit rides, donations, employment or business from drivers, and bans soliciting to watch or guard parked vehicles.

Key details: Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 24-325. Covers: rides, donations, employment, business. Also bans: soliciting to watch/guard parked cars. Applies to: standing in or near the roadway.

Violation is a misdemeanor citation under the traffic code's general penalty provision for standing in the roadway to solicit a ride, donation, employment or business from a vehicle occupant.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Midwest City actively enforces its aggressive panhandling requirements.

Public Alcohol Use

Drinking intoxicating liquor in any public place is illegal citywide in Midwest City, with the only exception being licensed bars and restaurants selling drinks by the individual glass under an ABLE Commission license.

Key details: Rule: No drinking liquor in public places. Exception: Licensed bars/restaurants by the glass. Penalty: Up to $200 fine, 30 days jail. Citation: Code of Ordinances § 5-36. Also bans: Being intoxicated in public.

No specific fine is listed for § 5-36, so the Code's general penalty at § 1-8 applies: up to a $200 fine plus costs, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

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

The Bottom Line

Midwest City is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 5 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Midwest City, 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 Midwest City's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.