Public Conduct in Harrisburg, PA (2026)
9 verified public conduct rules for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Chapter 3-367 bans panhandling, solicitation and begging in an aggressive manner in any public place, and bans it in set locations regardless of manner: within 20 feet of public toilets, banks and ATMs, on private property without permission, and in public transportation vehicles and public parking lots. Violations are punished under Chapter 3-399.
Aggressive Panhandling Ordinance in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Significant RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-367.1; § 3-367.2
PANHANDLING IN AN AGGRESSIVE MANNER A. Following behind, ahead or alongside a person for more than 50 feet either before, during or after soliciting if that conduct is intended or is likely to cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm to oneself or to another or damage to or loss of property or otherwise be intimidated into giving money or other thing of value; B. Continuing to solicit from...
Public Urination
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the voiding of human urine or excrement on any street, sidewalk, public property or private property is prohibited. The ban sits in the Public Health Code, not the traffic or disorderly conduct chapters, and the Health Officer enforces it with the general penalty for health ordinances.
Harrisburg PA Public Urination and Defecation Ban
Heavy RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances §§ 6-313.2 and 6-313.99
The voiding of human urine or excrement on any street, sidewalk, public property, or private property is prohibited. § 6-313. ... 99. Penalty. ... Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to Chapter 6-103, Enforcement and Penalty, of these Codified Ordinances.
Skateboarding Rules
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, skateboards, roller skates, coasters and similar devices are banned on sidewalks and public plazas in the central business district, and in parking garages and lots posted with signs. On sidewalks not open to public vehicular traffic, riders must yield to pedestrians and keep a reasonable and prudent speed.
Harrisburg PA Skateboard and Roller Skate Rules
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-335.1
§ 3-335.1. Prohibitions. ... A. It shall be unlawful for any person upon roller skates or riding on or by means of a coaster, skateboard, toy vehicle, or similar device to go upon the sidewalk or public plaza in the central business district[1] or upon an inclined ramp or other surface area of any City-owned or privately owned parking garage or lot, any publicly operated garage, or any publicly...
Loud Party Ordinance
In the City of Harrisburg, a rental unit whose occupants or guests are involved in two disruptive conduct incidents within any twelve-month period loses its certificate of compliance, and the owner must start eviction. Disruptive conduct includes amplified music and other loud noise, but only after a guilty verdict or a guilty or nolo contendere plea.
Unruly Rental Party Rules in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Significant RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 8-511.12
C. In the event that the occupant(s) or guest(s) of a residential rental unit is involved in two disruptive conduct incidents, as documented by disruptive conduct reports, within any twelve-month period, the Codes Bureau shall immediately revoke any certificate of compliance for the residential rental unit and shall send a notice of revocation to the owner and the responsible agent designated u...
Loitering Rules
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Chapter 3-339 bars anyone from maliciously loitering or prowling in a public place, which includes streets, sidewalks, parks and the area in front of stores, restaurants and taverns. An officer must first give the person a chance to explain. Violations carry fines of $50 to $1,000.
Harrisburg PA Loitering and Malicious Prowling Rules
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances §§ 3-339.1, 3-339.2, 3-339.3
LOITERING Lingering, staying, remaining or waiting at one location. MALICIOUS Vexatious, annoying, injurious, or with intent to do a wrongful act. PROWLING Roving or wandering in a stealthful manner. PUBLIC PLACE Any place to which the public has access and includes any street, highway, road, alley, or sidewalk. It also includes the front or the surrounding area of any store, shop, restaurant, ...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, smoking is banned inside City playgrounds and pools and in all outdoor areas within 15 feet of them or of any entrance to a smoke-free enclosed area. City parks and public sidewalks are otherwise open to smoking, and a violation is a summary offense with a $50 fine.
Harrisburg PA Outdoor Smoking Rules at Playgrounds and Pools
Light RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 6-331.4
A. Smoking shall be prohibited in any and all playgrounds and pools, as defined herein, which are owned, leased or operated by the City of Harrisburg. ... B. Smoking shall be prohibited in all outdoor areas within 15 feet of any playground or pool or any entrance to any enclosed area where smoking is prohibited pursuant to this chapter. Any ashtrays or cigarette depositories placed outside of a...
Jaywalking
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pedestrians cannot step off the curb at a controlled intersection except on a police officer's direction, on a green signal where there are no pedestrian signals, or on the WALK signal where there are. Pedestrians also cannot cross a highway anywhere other than at an intersection, except at the places and in the manner directed.
Harrisburg PA Jaywalking and Pedestrian Crossing Rules
Light RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-123.3
§ 3-123.3. Pedestrian crossing at intersection; jaywalking. A. Pedestrians shall not leave the curb or sidewalk to cross at a controlled intersection unless: (1) At the direction of a police officer. (2) On the green or "GO" traffic signal at intersections not having pedestrian signals. (3) On the "WALK" signal at intersections having pedestrian signals. B. Pedestrians shall not cross highways ...
Public Marijuana Use
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Chapter 3-373 makes personal possession or personal use of a small amount of marijuana a violation handled by nontraffic summary citation. The fine is $75 for possession and $150 for use, and a small amount means 30 grams or less of marijuana or 8 grams or less of hashish. The section is not limited to public places.
Marijuana Possession and Use Fines in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-373-3; § 3-373-5
§ 3-373-3. Personal possession or personal use of a small amount of marijuana. ... A. So long as marijuana shall be listed as a controlled substance in the "Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act," 1972, April 14, P.L. 233, No. 64, § 1 et seq., 35 P.S. § 780-101 et seq., no person shall be in possession of a small amount of marijuana. B. The following shall be violations of this se...
Public Alcohol Use
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, no one can transport or possess an open container of beer, wine or alcoholic beverage on the streets, sidewalks, alleys or public ways, or in private shopping center parking areas under Bureau of Police jurisdiction. Drinking on another person's property needs the owner's or occupier's invitation.
Open Container and Public Drinking Rules in Harrisburg, PA
Significant RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-347.2
A. No person shall transport or possess on his or her person or in a motor vehicle any beer, wine, or alcoholic beverage in an open container in or upon the streets, sidewalks, alleys, or public ways of the City, nor in or upon the parking areas of private shopping centers under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Police except as hereinafter provided. B. No person shall consume or possess beer, ...