Public Conduct in Allentown, PA (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for Allentown, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Allentown bans panhandling after sunset or before sunrise, at bus and train stops, on private property without permission, and in aggressive forms like blocking a sidewalk or following someone who walks away. Each violation is a summary offense.
Allentown Panhandling Restrictions: Where and How
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code § 244-9 (amended 5-18-1995 by Ord. No. 13336)
§ 244-9. Panhandling. A. "Panhandling," for the purpose of this article, is any solicitation made in person requesting an immediate donation of money... B. Prohibited after dark. Any person who panhandles after sunset or before sunrise is guilty of a summary offense. C. Prohibited in certain places. Any person who panhandles when the person solicited is in any of the following places is guilty ...
Skateboarding Rules
Skateboarding is prohibited on any sidewalk or street in Allentown's Core Business District at all times, and banned citywide in the public right-of-way during hours of darkness. Riders must also yield to pedestrians where skating is allowed and can't ride recklessly or ignore posted no-skating signs on public or private property.
Allentown Bans Skateboarding Downtown and After Dark
Significant RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code § 393-13 (Neighborhood Improvement)
Skateboards prohibited in Core Business District. The operation, riding or coasting of skateboards on any sidewalks or streets in the Core Business District is hereby prohibited. The location and boundaries of the Core Business District are delineated in § 393-2. B. Skateboards prohibited at night. The operation, riding or coasting of skateboards in the public right-of-way during hours of darkn...
Loitering Rules
Allentown bars loitering that blocks streets, sidewalks or businesses, and lets police order violators to stop before issuing a citation. Ignoring that order is itself a separate offense, punishable by up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail.
Allentown Loitering and Public Obstruction Ban
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code § 244-4 (amended 4-6-1977 by Ord. No. 12243)
§ 244-4. Loitering; obstructing public places. A. No person shall loiter in a public place, as hereinafter defined, in such manner as to obstruct any public street, public sidewalk, public bridge, or other public place or public building by hindering or impeding or tending to hinder or impede the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles or pedestrians... D. When any person causes or commits a...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Allentown Code § 425-15E bars smoking or vaping any substance within 25 feet of playgrounds and athletic fields and courts in city parks, covering everything from baseball diamonds to tennis courts. The rule sits inside the park conduct chapter enforced by police and Parks and Recreation Bureau staff, who can order violators out and issue citations.
No Smoking or Vaping Within 25 Ft of Playgrounds
Some RestrictionsAllentown City Code § 425-15E (Ord. No. 16213, eff. 5-20-2026)
While in a public park or recreation area, all persons shall conduct themselves in a proper and orderly manner, and, in particular, no person shall: ... E. Shall smoke nor vape any substance within 25 feet of playgrounds, recreational fields and courts (including but not limited to baseball, basketball, football, handball, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, etc.).
Public Marijuana Use
Allentown makes personal possession or use of a small amount of marijuana a summary offense rather than a state drug crime, with an escalating city fine starting at $25 for a first offense in a calendar year and topping out at $150 for a fourth.
Allentown Decriminalized Marijuana Possession/Use Fines
Light RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code §§ 250-7 and 250-9 (Ord. No. 15446, adopted 5-16-2018)
§ 250-7. Possession. A. Personal possession or personal use of small amounts of marijuana. (1) So long as marijuana shall be listed as a controlled substance in the "Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act," ... no person shall be in possession of a small amount of marijuana. (2) The following shall be summary offense violations of this section: (a) Personal possession of a small am...
Public Alcohol Use
Allentown prohibits drinking or carrying an open container of alcohol in any public place, including streets and sidewalks, unless a special activity or sidewalk cafe permit specifically authorizes it. Simply holding an open container creates a rebuttable presumption of intent to drink it.
Allentown Bans Open Containers on Streets, Sidewalks
Significant RestrictionsAllentown Code of Ordinances § 545-5.A
No person shall drink or consume an alcoholic beverage or possess, with the intent to drink or consume, an open container containing an alcoholic beverage in any public place except at a party, function or activity for which a special activity or sidewalk cafe permit has been obtained from the City of Allentown... Possession of an open container containing an alcoholic beverage by any person sh...
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