Public Conduct in Indianapolis, IN (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for Indianapolis, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Indianapolis criminalizes six specific aggressive panhandling tactics under Code Sec. 407-102(d): touching someone without consent, working a line outside a business, blocking a path or doorway, following a person who walks away, using profane or threatening language, and panhandling in a group of two or more. Every act is a public nuisance and a separate violation, and courts can enjoin repeat offenders.
Indianapolis Bans Aggressive Panhandling Tactics
Significant RestrictionsRevised Code of the Consolidated City and County (Indianapolis - Marion County), Sec. 407-102(d)-(e) (Code 1975, § 20-8; G.O. 78, 1999, § 1)
(d) It shall be unlawful to engage in an act of panhandling in an aggressive manner, including any of the following actions:(1)Touching the solicited person without the solicited person's consent;(2)Panhandling a person while such person is standing in line and waiting to be admitted to a commercial establishment;(3)Blocking the path of a person being solicited, or the entrance to any building ...
Skateboarding Rules
Indianapolis bans skateboards, scooters and toy vehicles on streets, sidewalks and ramps within downtown's Mile Square, the Canal Walk Zone and other listed districts, and on any roadway citywide outside a designated play street.
Indianapolis Skateboard Ban in Downtown Mile Square
Significant RestrictionsIndianapolis/Marion County Revised Code Sec. 645-528 (Code 1975, § 28-210; G.O. 58, 1997, § 1)
It shall be unlawful for any person, who is riding in or by means of a skateboard, coaster, scooter, toy vehicle or any similar play device, to park, stand or use any such vehicle or device upon any roadway, except when and where such roadway is designated as a play street...It is hereby declared a public nuisance...to operate a skateboard, coaster, scooter, toy vehicle or any similar play devi...
Loitering Rules
Refusing a police order to move on while loitering in a way that risks a breach of the peace or blocks traffic is a Code violation in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Loitering and Unlawful Assembly Rules
Some RestrictionsRevised Code of the Consolidated City and County (Indianapolis - Marion County), Sec. 407-103(a)
No person shall loiter or prowl in a place, at a time or in a manner not usual for law abiding citizens, under circumstances that warrant a justifiable and reasonable alarm or immediate concern for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity, in any public way, street, highway, place or alley and refuse to obey the lawful command of a police officer to move on or provide to such police of...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Indianapolis and Marion County ban smoking in every publicly owned park and in any vehicle or enclosed area of a city- or county-owned building used for government business, under Code Sec. 616-203. Unlike the workplace and public-place smoking bans, this rule carries none of Chapter 616's usual exemptions for private clubs or tobacco stores.
Indianapolis Bans Smoking in Parks and City Buildings
Heavy RestrictionsCode of Indianapolis & Marion County Sec. 616-203(a)-(b) (G.O. 44, 2005, § 1; G.O. 16, 2021, § 2)
(a)Smoking shall be prohibited in all vehicles and enclosed areas in buildings owned, leased, or operated by the city or the county, or any of their offices, agencies, or departments if those vehicles or enclosed areas are used for any governmental function.(b)Smoking shall be prohibited in all public parks.
Jaywalking
Indianapolis pedestrians must cross streets at intersections or marked/unmarked crosswalks, not mid-block, under Code Sec. 441-108.
Indianapolis: Cross Only at Intersections
Light RestrictionsRevised Code of the Consolidated City and County (Indianapolis - Marion County), Sec. 441-108 (Code 1975, section 29-8)
(a)Pedestrians shall cross streets only at intersections or at other places that may be designated therefor pursuant to this chapter.(b)On streets where traffic at intersections or crosswalks is directed and controlled by a police officer, other person so authorized or school guard stationed thereat, or by traffic-control signals, pedestrians shall not enter or cross the roadway at such interse...
Public Alcohol Use
Indianapolis allows open alcoholic drinks only inside a council-designated Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) under Section 820-105. Patrons may carry up to two open containers out of a participating retailer's premises, each capped by drink type, and consume them anywhere within the DORA's mapped boundary; no more than seven DORAs may exist citywide.
Indianapolis DORA Open-Container Rules
Some RestrictionsRevised Code of the Consolidated City and County (Indianapolis - Marion County), Sec. 820-105(a)-(c), (g) (DORA regulations)
(a)The following regulations are intended to be in substantial compliance with IC 7.1-3-31 et seq., which may be amended from time to time.(b)Upon the city's designation of a DORA, a person may:(1)Exit the licensed premises of a designated permittee with not more than two (2) open containers of an alcoholic beverage at a time; and(2)Consume the alcoholic beverage(s) within the DORA.(c)Council m...