Public Conduct in Lubbock, TX (2026)
9 verified public conduct rules for Lubbock, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Lubbock prohibits aggressive panhandling, including solicitation near ATMs, bus stops, outdoor dining, and after dark. Passive begging remains protected speech, but threatening conduct or roadway solicitation can draw citations.
Aggressive Solicitation and Public Begging Limits
Light RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct)
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;...
Public Urination
Lubbock cites public urination and defecation under disorderly conduct and indecent exposure statutes. Enforcement intensifies in the Depot Entertainment District during football weekends, with on-call patrols watching for repeat offenders.
Public Urination and Disorderly Conduct
Light RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the p...
Skateboarding Rules
Lubbock Code of Ordinances section 16.01.008(5) makes it unlawful to ride, drive, propel or carry a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, roller skates or any other wheeled device within a park playground. The same section closes playgrounds citywide between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and bans fires, smoking, and pets on playgrounds, all enforced by park staff and police.
Lubbock Bans Skateboards in Park Playgrounds
Heavy RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances § 16.01.008
It shall be unlawful for any person within a park playground to commit or do any of the following: (1) To enter into, or remain upon, or to be upon the premises of any park playground between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The time of use restrictions set forth herein shall not apply to City of Lubbock personnel performing city-related functions. ... (5) To ride, drive, propel or carry a...
Loud Party Ordinance
Lubbock police respond to loud party complaints under city noise rules and Texas disorderly conduct statutes. Texas Tech student housing near campus generates significant call volume during football season and weekend gatherings.
Disturbing the Peace and Loud Party Response
Light RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct)
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;...
Loitering Rules
Lubbock Code of Ordinances section 14.01.004 bans loafing or loitering within 250 yards of any public, private or parochial school, including universities and colleges such as Texas Tech, during school hours or while students are arriving or leaving. The ban only applies when the loiterer's purpose is attracting, enticing or luring a school child into truancy or into committing, joining or watching an unlawful or immoral act.
Lubbock Loitering Ban Near Schools
Some RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances § 14.01.004
It shall be unlawful for any person, during school hours or during the time pupils are gathering at school or leaving school, to loaf or loiter on the streets, alleys, sidewalks or any other public place, or in any building or structure open to the public, within two hundred fifty (250) yards of any public, private or parochial school including but not limited to universities, colleges, high sc...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Lubbock's smoke-free ordinance in Article 8.17 bans lighting up in enclosed public places, but the same code carves out open air. Section 8.17.032(a)(9) exempts "outdoor areas or outdoor places of employment" outright, and outdoor restaurant patios stay smoking-legal too if they sit at least 20 feet from nonsmokers or are walled off, with signage posted.
Lubbock Smoking Ban Exempts Outdoor Areas
Few RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances §§ 8.17.031(a), 8.17.032(a)(9)-(10)
(a) Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public places within the City of Lubbock, except in designated smoking areas as defined in section 8.17.001, and as otherwise allowed in this article. ... The prohibitions against smoking contained herein shall not apply to the following places: ... (9) To outdoor areas or outdoor places of employment; (10) To an outdoor dining area that is at least twe...
Jaywalking
Lubbock pedestrians who cross a roadway outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk must yield to all vehicles on the road. Between signalized intersections, crossing anywhere except in a marked or unmarked crosswalk is barred outright, and freeway crossing is prohibited for the general public.
Lubbock Jaywalking: Crossing Outside a Crosswalk
Some RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances § 20.07.001
(a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. ... (c) Between any adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Public Marijuana Use
Texas has not legalized recreational marijuana, and any public use or possession in Lubbock can trigger state criminal charges. Lubbock has not adopted the cite-and-release reforms passed by Austin or Dallas voters.
Public Marijuana Possession Remains Illegal
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 481.121
Sec. 481.121. OFFENSE: POSSESSION OF MARIHUANA. (a) Except as authorized by this chapter, a person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally possesses a usable quantity of marihuana.(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is:(1) a Class B misdemeanor if the amount of marihuana possessed is two ounces or less;(2) a Class A misdemeanor if the amount of marihuana possessed is ...
Public Alcohol Use
Lubbock prohibits open alcohol containers in vehicles and public parks. Texas law allows local option for retail sales, and Lubbock voted wet citywide in 2009. Depot Entertainment District follows separate rules.
Public Alcohol Consumption and Open Container
Some RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 49.02
Sec. 49.02. PUBLIC INTOXICATION. (a) A person commits an offense if the person appears in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger the person or another.(a-1) For the purposes of this section, a premises licensed or permitted under the Alcoholic Beverage Code is a public place.(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the alcohol or other...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lubbock city rules.
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