Public Conduct in Medford, OR (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for Medford, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Medford makes "abusive solicitation" a misdemeanor under City Code 5.258, covering continuing a request after refusal, blocking or following the person solicited, unwanted touching, or offensive or threatening words and gestures.
Medford Aggressive Solicitation Ban
Some RestrictionsMedford Municipal Code 5.258(2)(b)
“Abusive Solicitation” means engaging in conduct, including but not limited to the following listed conduct, intentionally, recklessly or knowingly, with the effect of either placing the solicited person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical harm, or with the effect of provoking or likely to provoke an imminent violent or disorderly response from the person being solicited: (i) Contin...
Public Urination
Medford bans urinating or defecating in public view or in any public place other than a restroom. The offense is classified as a violation, capping the penalty at a $250 fine with no jail time under the city's general violation schedule.
Medford Public Urination and Defecation Ban
Some RestrictionsMedford Code § 5.125
5.125 Public Urination. (1) No person shall urinate or defecate in public view or in a public place other than a restroom. (2) Violation of this section constitutes a violation. [Amd. Ord. No. 2000-45, Mar. 16, 2000.]
Skateboarding Rules
Medford bans riding a skateboard, scooter or bicycle on sidewalks within a defined downtown zone bounded by Bear Creek, Sixth Street, Oakdale Avenue and Tenth Street, unless official signs mark a designated bicycle path. Riders elsewhere in the city are not restricted by this section.
Medford Skateboard Riding Restriction Downtown
Light RestrictionsMedford Code § 6.430(1)
No person shall operate a skateboard, scooter or bicycle on a sidewalk within the area bound by Bear Creek, the north right-of-way of Sixth Street, the west right-of-way of Oakdale Avenue, and the south right-of-way of Tenth Street, except where official signs mark a designated bicycle path.
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Medford designates every Parks and Recreation Department property, including surrounding pedestrian rights-of-way, as tobacco and smoke free under City Code 5.265(3), with one carved-out smoking area at U.S. Cellular Community Park.
Medford Parks Tobacco & Smoke-Free Rule
Significant RestrictionsMedford Municipal Code 5.265(3)-(4)
All parks and facilities managed and maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department are designated as tobacco and smoke free. These facilities include the pedestrian rights-of-way that surround each property. (4) Exception to this code is a designated smoking area within U.S. Cellular Community Park.
Public Marijuana Use
Medford makes it unlawful to use marijuana items, including flower, edibles, and extracts, in any public place such as streets, parks, schools, and areas used for public transportation. A violation carries only a fine under Section 5.990(2), with no jail time attached.
Medford Ban on Public Marijuana Use
Some RestrictionsMedford Code § 5.705
5.705 Use of Marijuana Item in Public Place. (1) It is unlawful for any person to engage in the use of marijuana items in a public place. (2) A violation of this section constitutes a violation. [Added Sec. 3, Ord. No. 2016-59, May 19, 2016.]
Public Alcohol Use
Medford makes it a violation to drink alcohol on any street, sidewalk, park, or other publicly owned facility, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine. Exceptions exist for licensed sidewalk cafes, permitted parklets, and City Manager-approved special events with fenced enclosures and security.
Medford Open Container / Public Drinking Ban
Significant RestrictionsMedford Code § 5.310
Except as provided in this Section no person shall consume alcoholic beverages in or on a street, sidewalk, alley, public right-of-way, public park, other publicly owned facility, or premises open to the general public for the use of motor vehicles, whether the premises are publicly or privately owned and whether or not a fee is charged for the use of the premises... (6) Violation of this secti...