Public Conduct in Modesto, CA (2026)
7 verified public conduct rules for Modesto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Modesto Code § 4-2.33 makes it unlawful to aggressively beg, intimidate, harass, or hound anyone on a street, sidewalk, or public place, whether publicly or privately owned, for money or anything of value. The ordinance defines harassment as closely following, touching, or directing profane language at someone after they have already declined to give.
Modesto Bans Aggressive Begging and Panhandling
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 4-2.33
(1)"Aggressively beg" means to beg with the intent to intimidate another person into giving money or goods. ... (5)"Harass or hound" means to closely follow the person solicited, touch the person solicited, or direct profane or abusive language toward the person solicited after the person solicited either expressly or impliedly makes it known that he or she does not want to give money or anythi...
Skateboarding Rules
Modesto bans skateboarding, roller skating and similar coasting devices on any roadway, City-owned parking lot or structure, the Transportation Center, the Amtrak station, business-district sidewalks, and any Modesto City, Sylvan Unified or Empire Union school property. The City Council can still approve organized skating events by resolution.
Modesto Bans Skateboards on Roads, Lots, School Sites
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 3-2.806
It shall be unlawful for any person upon roller skates or riding on or by means of a skateboard, coaster or similar device to go upon any roadway in the City or in any City-owned parking lot or City-owned parking structure or in the City of Modesto Transportation Center or in the City of Modesto Amtrak Station or upon the sidewalk in any business district as defined by Section 235 of the Vehicl...
Loud Party Ordinance
Modesto Code of Ordinances § 4-18.06 makes it a misdemeanor for anyone in control of a premises to knowingly host, permit or allow a gathering where a minor drinks alcohol without taking reasonable steps to stop it. Police can order the party disbanded as a public nuisance, and the City bills hosts for its response costs.
Modesto Social Host Law for Underage Drinking Parties
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 4-18.06
It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person having control of any premises to knowingly host, permit, or allow a gathering to take place at said premises where at least one minor consumes an alcoholic beverage, whenever the person having control of the premises either knows a minor is or has consumed an alcoholic beverage or reasonably should have known that a minor is or has consumed an al...
Loitering Rules
Modesto Code of Ordinances § 4-7.1504 makes it unlawful to loiter, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., on any property within 300 feet of a street posted as a no-cruising zone. Fines escalate from $75 to $250 for repeat convictions within a year, and refusing to leave after a citation is a misdemeanor.
Modesto No-Cruise Zone Loitering Ban
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 4-7.1504
It shall be unlawful to loiter on any property in the proximity of any posted no-cruising zone between the hours of 6:00 p.m. of one day and 6:00 a.m. the next day. As used in this section, the term "loiter" means to delay or linger without a lawful purpose for being on the property. "Property in the proximity of any posted no-cruising zone" as used in this section shall mean any property which...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Modesto's Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance bars smoking in every enclosed public place citywide and, outdoors, within 100 feet of any hospital entrance or exit and on all publicly owned parks and trails. The Health Officer enforces the rule, and "smoking" is defined to include marijuana as well as tobacco and vapor devices.
Modesto Smoking Ban: Parks, Trails, Hospitals
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 5-8.301
(a)Except as otherwise provided, smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed public places within the City of Modesto, including, but not limited to, the following public places:(1)Elevators.(2)Buses, taxicabs, and other means of public transit under the authority of the City of Modesto and ticket, boarding, and waiting areas of public transit depots.(3)Restrooms.(4)Service lines.(5)Retail stor...
Jaywalking
In any Modesto business district, as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 235, pedestrians must cross a roadway at a marked crosswalk rather than mid-block. Outside a marked crosswalk elsewhere in the city, pedestrians must still cross at right angles to the curb by the shortest route to the opposite side.
Modesto Requires Crosswalk Use in Business Districts
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances §§ 3-2.902, 3-2.903
3-2.902 - Jaywalking Prohibited. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than by a crosswalk in any business district as defined by Section 235 of the Vehicle Code of the State of California. ... 3-2.903 - Crossing at Right Angles. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway at any place other than by a route at right angles to the curb or by the shortest route to the opposite curb except in a marked...
Public Alcohol Use
Modesto Code § 4-2.09 makes it unlawful to drink or carry an open container of beer, wine, or any other intoxicating beverage on a public street, sidewalk, alley, playground, or walkway. The only exceptions are inside the boundaries of a City Manager-approved community event or on the property of a business licensed to serve alcohol under the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.
Modesto Bans Open Containers on Public Streets
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 4-2.09
No person shall drink and/or be in possession of an open container, including, but not limited to, any bottle, can or other receptacle containing any beer, wine or other intoxicating beverage on any public street, sidewalk, alley, playground, or walkway except: (a)In the geographic area immediately surrounding a community-wide event which has received the prior written approval of the City Mana...
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