Public Conduct in Sandy, UT

If you live in Sandy or are thinking about moving there, public conduct are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Sandy has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of public conduct, and some of them might surprise you.

Loitering Rules

Sandy City makes it a Class B misdemeanor to loiter, idle, wander or play on any school, college or university grounds or building without lawful business there. The rule also reaches disrupting classes and parking near campuses to annoy students.

Key details: Penalty: Class B misdemeanor. Covered locations: School, college, university grounds. Related minor rule: Curfew loitering ban, § 13-3-2. Vehicle provision: Bars parking to annoy/entice students. General adult loitering: No citywide ban; school-specific only.

Any person violating Section 13-8-1 is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, Sandy's general criminal penalty tier for offenses against government under Chapter 13-8.

Public Alcohol Use

Sandy bans drinking any alcoholic beverage in a public place lacking the required alcohol licenses and permits, and separately bans beer or liquor consumption anywhere on the grounds of a City park, with violations charged as a class B misdemeanor.

Key details: Park drinking ban: Sandy City Code § 15-2-29. Unlicensed public place ban: Sandy City Code § 15-2-30. Penalty: Class B misdemeanor. Event alcohol permit lead time: 15 working days. Enforcing agency: Sandy City Police Department.

Drinking beer or liquor in a Sandy park, or drinking any alcoholic beverage in an unlicensed public place, is a class B misdemeanor under Section 15-2-32. Police, code enforcement, fire, planning, and building officials may inspect licensed or applicant premises with or without prior notice under Section 15-2-31.

Skateboarding Rules

Sandy Traffic Code Section 14-3-2 bars roller skates, skateboards, coasters and similar devices from any roadway except when crossing at a marked crosswalk, where the rider must follow the same rules as a pedestrian. The restriction lifts only on streets the City has posted as a play street.

Key details: Governing Section: 14-3-2. Prohibited: Skateboards/skates/coasters on roadways. Exception: Crosswalk crossing; posted play streets. Enforcement: Sandy Police Dept. Penalty: Infraction (14-3-1).

Riding a skateboard, roller skates or a similar coaster device on a Sandy roadway outside a marked crosswalk crossing is an infraction under Section 14-3-1's general Traffic Code penalty, since Section 14-3-2 is not among the sections carrying a misdemeanor classification. Sandy Police Department officers issue citations; the restriction does not apply on streets posted as play streets.

Public Urination

Sandy City Code Section 13-1-11 makes it a Class C misdemeanor to urinate or defecate anywhere in public other than a restroom, if the person should know the act will likely cause affront or alarm to someone else. The offense sits in Title 13's public peace chapter.

Key details: Offense: Public urination or defecation, Class C misdemeanor. Section: Sandy City Code Section 13-1-11. Max fine (individual): $750.00 (Section 1-2-3). Max jail term: 90 days (Section 1-2-4). Location covered: Any public place except a restroom.

A first offense is charged directly as a Class C misdemeanor, not an infraction, because Section 13-1-11 fixes that classification itself. Under the general fine schedule, a convicted individual faces up to $750.00 plus court surcharges, and up to 90 days in City or County jail under Section 1-2-4. Courts may also impose probation instead of, or combined with, a fine.

The Bottom Line

Sandy's public conduct rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Sandy is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Sandy's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.