Public Conduct in Merced, CA (2026)
8 verified public conduct rules for Merced, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Merced's Aggressive Solicitation chapter makes it an infraction to solicit donations after sunset or before sunrise, within set distances of banks and bus stops, or in aggressive ways like blocking a person's path, following them, or using profane language. Chapter 9.50 covers in-person requests for money, food, or items of value.
Merced Aggressive Solicitation Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Secs. 9.50.020, 9.50.040 (Time of Solicitation; Manner of Solicitation)
Any person who solicits after sunset or before sunrise is guilty of an infraction. ... Any person who solicits in any of the following manners is guilty of an infraction: A.By coming within three (3) feet of the person solicited, until that person has indicated that he or she wishes to make a donation;B.By blocking the path of the person solicited along a sidewalk or street;C.By following a per...
Public Urination
Merced Municipal Code Section 9.16.020 makes it a misdemeanor to urinate or defecate on any street, sidewalk, parkway, alley, or other public place exposed to public view within the city, enforced under the same Chapter 1.12 penalty schedule as other municipal code misdemeanors.
Merced Public Urination Defecation Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 9.16.020 (Urination and defecation)
Any person who urinates or defecates upon any street, sidewalk, parkway, alley, or other public place exposed to public view within the city is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Skateboarding Rules
Merced bans skateboards, roller blades, roller skates and other coaster devices from streets, sidewalks and parking lots inside a signed downtown business district bounded by 16th, V, 18th, Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Main Streets, under Municipal Code Section 10.45.020. Two narrow carve-outs keep 16th, I, O and P Streets open for lawful commuting, and the city council may expand the ban citywide by resolution.
Merced Downtown Skateboarding Ban
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 10.45.020
No person shall ride, use or propel any skateboard, roller blade, roller skate or other coaster device, whether powered by human or motorized means: ... H.In or upon any public right-of-way, roadway, pavement, including cross-streets, parking lot or sidewalk, or any improvement constructed or placed on a sidewalk, located within the following area:1.The area bounded by 16th Street from G Street...
Loud Party Ordinance
When a party or gathering on private property becomes a police matter, Merced can bill the host, property owner, or a minor's parents for law enforcement costs beyond the first response if officers must return within 72 hours. Chapter 9.64 governs the notice-and-billing procedure, with payment due in 15 days.
Merced Disruptive Party Cost Recovery Law
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Secs. 9.64.004, 9.64.006 (Procedure to Enforce; Cost Reimbursement)
When a party, gathering, or other assemblage of persons occurs on private property, or where a noise disturbance is created by an individual, and it is determined by a police officer at the scene to constitute a violation of the California Penal Code or is otherwise a threat to the public peace, health, safety or welfare... the police officer shall take such actions and give such direction as i...
Loitering Rules
Merced bars loitering in or around any public building and blocking corridors, stairways, or doorways in a way that keeps the public, officers, or employees from moving freely. Section 9.46.010 covers city buildings; a separate law, Section 9.60.010, bans loitering anywhere in the city when circumstances show a drug-related purpose.
Merced Public Building Loitering Ban
Light RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 9.46.010 (Loitering)
No person shall loiter in or around a public building or obstruct corridors, stairways or doorways, so as to prevent free access by members of the public, officers or employees.
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Merced law bans smoking in every place in the city, with only the narrow exceptions carved out in the smoking ordinance, under Sec. 8.26.050. A restaurant escapes the ban only if at least 75 percent of its seating is a posted no-smoking section, or between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.; violating the posted rule is an infraction under Sec. 8.26.040.
Merced Public Smoking Ban Rules
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.26.050 (Regulation of Smoking, Prohibited in Certain Places Open to the Public)
Smoking is prohibited in every place in the city, provided, however, that this prohibition against smoking shall not apply within a restaurant wherein a "no smoking" area of not less than seventy-five (75) percent of the seating capacity in which customers are served is maintained, nor shall this prohibition apply between the hours of ten p.m. and six a.m. The owner, manager, or operator of a r...
Jaywalking
Merced pedestrians must cross the roadway in a crosswalk within a business district or wherever a marked crosswalk exists, and must use due care to avoid stepping into the path of a moving vehicle. The rule was adopted by Ordinance No. 2587, effective January 20, 2026.
Merced Jaywalking and Crosswalk Rule
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 10.24.030
A.(1)Pedestrians must use due care when crossing the roadway; and(2)No pedestrians shall cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk, within a business district, and at other places within or outside business districts where such crosswalks are present.B.(1)Due care means a reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of a collision with a moving vehicle or othe...
Public Alcohol Use
Merced Municipal Code Section 9.12.020 makes it a misdemeanor to serve, drink, or possess an open container of any spirituous, vinous, malt, or other intoxicating liquor on a city street, sidewalk, alley, park, parking lot, or any other public place unless the city council or the Municipal Code specifically permits it.
Merced Public Alcohol Open Container Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 9.12.020 (Serving or drinking liquors on street)
It is unlawful, and a misdemeanor, subject to punishment in accordance with Chapter 1.12 of the Code, for any person to serve, drink, consume, or have in his/her possession an open container containing any spirituous, vinous, malt, or any other intoxicating liquors in or upon any of the streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks, parking lots, or any public place in the city, unless otherwise permitted ...
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