Public Conduct in Gary, IN (2026)
5 verified public conduct rules for Gary, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Skateboarding Rules
Gary's traffic code bans rollerskates, coasters, toy vehicles and similar devices, the closest 1960s-era language to modern skateboards, from city roadways except when crossing at a marked crosswalk. Riders may also not hitch a ride by clinging to a moving vehicle. The Gary Police Department enforces both rules under Chapter 40, Article IV.
Gary Roadway Ban on Skate-Type Devices
Significant RestrictionsGary Municipal Code §§ 40-184, 40-185
It shall be unlawful for any person traveling upon any motorcycle, coaster, sled, rollerskates, or any toy vehicle to cling to or attach himself or his vehicle to any other moving vehicle upon any highway. ... It shall be unlawful for any person upon rollerskates, riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar device to go upon any roadway except while crossing a street at a cros...
Loitering Rules
Gary makes it unlawful to loiter in or around public buildings, on public grounds and sidewalks, or on commercial premises after being directed to leave by police or the property's owner or agent. The ordinance also bars drinking alcohol in most public places.
Loitering Rules in Gary
Some RestrictionsGary Municipal Code § 28-130
Loiter means idle, stand, tarry, remain, all whether alone or with others; and as to parking lots and public grounds and ways, loitering shall include being situated in or upon a motor vehicle and also lying in wait for the purpose of trouncing upon another person. ... (b)Unlawful. It shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following acts:(1)Public buildings. Loiter in or around publi...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
In the City of Gary, smoking is banned outdoors within 15 feet of any entrance, window or ventilation intake of a building where smoking is already prohibited indoors, so tobacco smoke cannot drift into smoke-free establishments. A first offense carries a fine up to $50.00.
Outdoor Smoking Buffer in Gary
Some RestrictionsGary Municipal Code §§ 24-194, 24-202
A person who smokes in an area where smoking is prohibited by the provisions of this article shall be guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine not exceeding $50.00. ... Smoking shall be prohibited out of doors within a reasonable distance for an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited by this article, but in no event any closer than 15 feet, so as to insure that tobacco smoke does not en...
Jaywalking
In the City of Gary, pedestrians must use a marked crosswalk when crossing between signaled intersections, and anyone who crosses mid-block or outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to every vehicle on the roadway.
Gary Crosswalk and Jaywalking Rules
Some RestrictionsGary Municipal Code § 40-473, § 40-474
Sec. 40-473. - Crosswalks. (a)Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.(b)A pedestrian shall move whenever practical upon the right half of a crosswalk. ... ... Sec. 40-474. - Unmarked crossings. Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point other than within a marked crosswalk or wit...
Public Alcohol Use
In the City of Gary it is unlawful to consume alcoholic beverages on public grounds, streets, sidewalks, alleys, parking lots or commercial premises. The rule sits inside the city's loitering ordinance, Gary Municipal Code § 28-130, enforced by the Gary Police Department.
Gary Bans Drinking Alcohol in Public
Some RestrictionsGary Municipal Code § 28-130(b)(4)
(4)Alcoholic beverages. Consume alcoholic beverages in or around any public grounds, ways, alleys, sidewalks, streets, street corners, yards, abandoned buildings, parking lots, or commercial premises, excluding private homes and those licensed premises having a valid permit from the state alcoholic beverage commission for the keeping, manufacture, or sale of alcoholic beverages.
Looking for Lake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Gary city rules.
Public Conduct in Lake County →