Public Conduct in Richardson, TX

If you live in Richardson or are thinking about moving there, public conduct are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Richardson has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of public conduct, and some of them might surprise you.

Skateboarding Rules

Inside the Galatyn Park Urban Center, Richardson bans skateboards, roller skates, roller blades and similar devices on any public or private street, sidewalk, parking area, Galatyn Plaza, or the Charles W. Eisemann Center once the city or the property owner has posted that area off-limits, under Sec. 13-160.

Key details: Applies to: Galatyn Park Urban Center only. Banned devices: Skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, similar. Trigger: Area posted as prohibited by city/owner. Covered locations: Galatyn Plaza, Eisemann Center, pedestrian areas. Penalty: Up to $500 fine (Sec. 1-8).

Skating past posted signage anywhere in the Galatyn Park Urban Center violates Sec. 13-160(b). The article sets no dedicated fine, so it falls under the general penalty in Sec. 1-8: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, with police or code officers able to cite anyone found riding a posted area.

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

Loitering Rules

Richardson makes it a misdemeanor for three or more people to congregate and loiter anywhere on a drive-in restaurant's premises, other than inside the restaurant building or a legally parked car, under Sec. 13-100(3), part of a broader set of drive-in-restaurant conduct rules in Division 3 of Chapter 13.

Key details: Applies to: Drive-in restaurant premises only. Trigger: 3+ people congregating/loitering. Exempt: Inside building or lawfully parked car. Classification: Misdemeanor (Sec. 13-100). Penalty: Up to $500 fine (Sec. 1-8).

Three or more people congregating and loitering on a drive-in restaurant's premises, outside the building or a legally parked car, is a misdemeanor under Sec. 13-100(3). The section sets no dollar figure of its own, so conviction falls under the general penalty in Sec. 1-8: a fine of up to $500 per offense.

Aggressive Panhandling

Richardson makes it an offense to solicit money by coercion, and separately bans any solicitation within 25 feet of an ATM, bank entrance, pay phone, self-service car wash, fuel pump or public transit stop. Section 13-53 defines coercion broadly, covering blocking a person's path or persisting after a refusal.

Key details: Coercive solicitation: Banned outright (§13-53(b)). Buffer zone: 25 feet from ATMs, banks, pay phones. Also covered: Car washes, fuel pumps, transit stops. Coercion includes: Blocking path or persisting after refusal. Related rule: Written consent required to solicit indoors (§13-54).

Both coercive solicitation and soliciting inside the 25-foot buffer zones are offenses under section 13-53, punished through the Code's general penalty in section 1-8: a fine of up to $500 per violation for chapter 13 offenses not tied to zoning, fire, or health and sanitation code sections. Officers can cite a violation on the spot once the coercive conduct or proximity to a listed location is observed.

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

Public Alcohol Use

Richardson bans possessing or drinking alcohol in any city park under Sec. 15-61(a)(15), unless the person is at a city-permitted event with authorized alcohol sales and got the drink from that approved vendor. The Bush Central Barkway dog park bans alcohol outright, with no event exception.

Key details: Rule: No alcohol possession/consumption in parks. Exception: Permitted events with authorized vendor. Enforcement: Director, attendants, police (Sec. 15-58). Power: On-the-spot ejection and seizure. Bush Central Barkway: Alcohol banned outright, no exception.

Drinking or possessing alcohol in a Richardson park outside a permitted event violates Sec. 15-61(a)(15) and is a misdemeanor. Park staff and police may eject the violator on the spot and seize the alcohol under Sec. 15-58, and conviction is punishable under the general penalty in Sec. 1-8, by a fine of up to $500 per offense.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Richardson bans smoking in every public park, including recreation fields, pools, playground equipment, concession stands and restrooms, and within 25 feet of any door or window opening into an enclosed area. Restaurant and bar patios are carved out as an exception under Code of Ordinances Sec. 10-98.

Key details: Enforcing agency: Richardson Health Department. Maximum fine: $500.00 per violation. Buffer near doorways: 25 feet from any opening. Public parks: Smoking fully prohibited. Patios: Exempt if entrance is 10+ feet away.

Under section 10-101(a), smoking anywhere the article prohibits it, including a city park or within 25 feet of a doorway, is unlawful and punishable as a misdemeanor carrying a fine up to $500.00. Owners, managers or operators who fail to post the required signage or otherwise fail their enforcement duties under sections 10-99 and 10-100 face the same $500.00 maximum fine. Section 10-101(d) makes each day a violation continues a separate offense, so an unposted sign or a repeat citation can compound quickly.

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

The Bottom Line

Richardson is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Richardson, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Richardson can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.