Scranton's Public Conduct: The Rules That Matter

Scranton maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with public conduct. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Scranton falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Loud Party Ordinance

Loud parties in Scranton are reached through Chapter 317 (Noise), Chapter 336 (Peace and Good Order), 18 Pa.C.S. Section 5503 (PA disorderly conduct), and - for rental occupants - Chapter 373 (Rental Property), which lets the city CLOSE a rental unit after three or more disruptive-conduct reports within six months. There is no civil social-host statute in Pennsylvania, but 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6310.1 (selling/furnishing alcohol to minors) and Section 5503 give prosecutors a criminal hook.

Key details: Local Code Sections: Chapter 317 (Noise) + Chapter 336 + Chapter 373. State Disorderly Conduct: 18 Pa.C.S. Section 5503. Rental Closure Trigger: 3+ disruptive-conduct reports in 6 months. Underage Alcohol Crime: 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6310.1 (3rd-degree misd.). Civil Social Host Statute: None - PA does not impose civil social-host liability for adults.

Chapter 317 noise: up to $600 per offense and 30 days under Section 317-11. 18 Pa.C.S. Section 5503: summary - up to $300 and 90 days; third-degree misdemeanor - up to $2,500 and 1 year. 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6310.1 (furnishing alcohol to minors): third-degree misdemeanor - up to $2,500 and 1 year, with a mandatory minimum $1,000 fine for a first offense ($2,500 for subsequent). Chapter 373 rental closure: license suspension and unit closure after 3+ disruptive-conduct reports in 6 months.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Scranton actively enforces its loud party ordinance requirements.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Scranton has not codified a stand-alone outdoor-smoking ordinance for parks, sidewalks, or public spaces. Smoking restrictions in the city are governed primarily by the Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act at 35 P.S. §637.1 et seq., which bans smoking in most indoor workplaces and public places statewide but leaves outdoor areas largely unregulated at the state level. The Scranton Department of Public Works and Parks may post no-smoking rules at specific facilities (notably playgrounds, splash pads, and youth-sports areas at Nay Aug Park, Connell Park, and similar venues) under its general park-rules authority. The Clean Indoor Air Act at §637.11 contains a partial-preemption provision that limits some stricter local rules.

Key details: Stand-Alone City Outdoor Smoking Ordinance: None codified. Statewide Indoor Statute: PA Clean Indoor Air Act, 35 P.S. §637.1 et seq. (Act 27 of 2008). Indoor Enforcer: Pennsylvania Department of Health. Park-Rules Authority: Scranton Public Works & Parks (posted no-smoking at Nay Aug Park playground/splash pad and youth-sports fields). Partial-Preemption Provision: 35 P.S. §637.11 (limits some stricter local rules).

Indoor smoking in a covered Scranton workplace or public place under the Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act is enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, with graduated penalties under 35 P.S. §637.10: warnings for first offense, $250 for second offense, $500 for third and subsequent offenses for individual smokers; employer-level penalties for permitting prohibited smoking range up to $1,000 for the first offense and $2,500 for subsequent offenses. Outdoor smoking at a Scranton park, playground, or splash pad in violation of a posted no-smoking rule from the Department of Public Works and Parks is enforceable as a park-rules violation under the Scranton City Code, typically with citation issuance at the Magisterial District Court that serves the park; Scranton's Quality of Life Ticketing Program under Pennsylvania Act 90 of 2010 (53 P.S. §38001 et seq.) provides a streamlined civil-fine alternative. Sale of tobacco products to a person under 21 in Scranton is a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. §6305 enforceable by state and local authorities. Cannabis smoking in public is independently illegal in Pennsylvania (which has not legalized recreational marijuana as of May 2026, though medical marijuana is available under the Medical Marijuana Act at 35 P.S. §10231.101 et seq.).

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

The Bottom Line

Scranton is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Scranton, 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 Scranton 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.