Public Conduct in Fall River, MA (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for Fall River, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Fall River bars panhandling after dark and bans aggressive tactics -- approaching within three feet, blocking a path, following someone, or using threats or profanity -- as misdemeanors with fines up to $100.
Fall River Aggressive Panhandling Rules
Significant RestrictionsFall River Code § 46-19(D)
Restriction on manner of panhandling. A panhandler shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if the panhandling takes place in the following manner: (1) By approaching, and coming within three feet of, the person being solicited, unless the person being solicited has initiated the interaction and/or has indicated that he or she wishes to make a donation; (2) By blocking the path of the person bein...
Public Urination
Fall River bans urinating or defecating in any public place in view of others, enforced under the city's unauthorized-camping ordinance, with fines waived for homeless individuals when shelter is unavailable.
Fall River Public Urination Ban
Some RestrictionsFall River Code § 46-16(E)
Public urination and defecation. It is unlawful to urinate or defecate in any place open to the public and while exposed to public view. F. Fuel tanks and open fires. It is unlawful to use a fuel tank (propane, kerosene, etc.) or have an open fire at an unauthorized campsite on public property. Notwithstanding the above, portable propane tanks may be used within designated picnic areas durin...
Loitering Rules
Fall River bans loitering, parties, and alcohol on the City-owned watershed land surrounding Copicut Reservoir, with fines up to $5,000 per violation.
Fall River Copicut Reservoir Loitering Ban
Heavy RestrictionsFall River Code § 26-42(A)(6)
Within the protected City-owned land surrounding the shoreline of the Copicut Reservoir bound by Quanapoag Road, Copicut Road, the Dartmouth Town Boundary Line and the Freetown Town Boundary Line, where public access is allowed (further described as that portion of Parcel C on Exhibit C of the Conservation Restriction and Conservation Easement recorded March 4, 2009 that encompasses the shoreli...
Jaywalking
Pedestrians crossing a Fall River street outside a marked crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles, and must use a pedestrian tunnel or overpass where one is provided.
Fall River Jaywalking / Crosswalk Rule
Some RestrictionsFall River Code § 70-417
Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. At a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overpass has been provided, pedestrians shall cross the roadway only by the proper use of the tunnel or overpass.
Public Marijuana Use
Fall River bans smoking, ingesting, or otherwise using marijuana in streets, parks, public buildings, transit vehicles, and any place accessible to the public, with a $200 fine per offense.
Fall River Public Marijuana Use Ban
Significant RestrictionsFall River Code § 46-18(A)
No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in MGL c. 94C, § 1, as amended) while in or upon any street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway, stairs, bridge, park, playground, beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, schoolhouse, school grounds, cemetery, parking lot, or any area owned by or under the control of th...
Public Alcohol Use
Fall River bans drinking alcohol on public ways, parks, playgrounds, or any place the public can access, and also on private land without the owner's consent; seized alcohol is held until the case is resolved.
Fall River Public Alcohol Ban
Heavy RestrictionsFall River Code § 46-9(A)
No person shall drink any alcoholic beverages, as defined in MGL c. 138, § 1, while on, in or upon any public way or upon any way to which the public has a right of access, or any place to which members of the public have access as invitees or licensees, park or playground, or private land or place without consent of the owner or person in control thereof. B. All alcoholic beverages being us...
Looking for Bristol County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fall River city rules.
Public Conduct in Bristol County →