Public Conduct in Mountain View, CA (2026)
7 verified public conduct rules for Mountain View, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Mountain View makes it an infraction to solicit anyone entering or exiting a vehicle in a way that impedes their movement, whether on a public street, a driveway leading to one, or a public or private parking lot or structure, City Code Sec. 21.28. "Solicit" reaches requests for money, food, goods, employment or contributions, so aggressive panhandling aimed at drivers and passengers falls squarely within the ban.
Solicitation Near Vehicles Rules in Mountain View
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 21.28
No person shall solicit or attempt to solicit any person entering or exiting any vehicle, so as to impede that person's movement, when such vehicle is located within a public street, private driveway leading to a public street, public or private parking lot or structure...Violations of subsection b. shall be charged as infractions.
Skateboarding Rules
City Code Sec. 19.53 lets skateboarders use Mountain View sidewalks if they exercise due care and yield to pedestrians, but the city can ban skateboards from specific sidewalks by council resolution once signs go up. Sec. 19.54 sets separate rules for riding skateboards on roadways with a 35 mph speed cap.
Mountain View Skateboard Sidewalk Rules
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA City Code Sec. 19.53 (Operating bicycles, electric bicycles and transportation devices on sidewalks)
a.When operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, roller skates or skateboard upon a sidewalk, a person shall exercise due care under the circumstances and conditions.b.When operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, roller skates or skateboard upon a sidewalk, a person shall yield the right-of-way to persons not operating such devices.c.No person shall operate a bicycle, electric bicycle or transporta...
Loitering Rules
Mountain View bars anyone under 18 from loitering on streets, alleys, parks or any public place between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise unless a parent or guardian is present, City Code Sec. 21.3. Exceptions cover minors traveling to or from work, worship or another lawful activity. Parents, aiders and even venue managers who let minors linger past curfew share in the liability.
Mountain View Minor Curfew Loitering Rules
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 21.3
No minor person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall loiter or remain upon or about the public streets, avenues, alleys, parks, squares, or any public place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and the time of sunrise of the following morning, when not accompanied by his parent, legal guardian or other person having the care, control and custody thereof, except: a.Where the presence of the min...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Mountain View extends its smoking ban outdoors to picnic areas, dining areas (including streets and sidewalks used for dining), and outdoor amphitheater seating, City Code Sec. 21.49. A companion rule, Sec. 21.49.5, bars smoking within a "reasonable distance," defined as 25 feet, of any doorway or unenclosed area where smoking is already prohibited.
Mountain View Outdoor Public Smoking Ban
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 21.47; Sec. 21.49; Sec. 21.49.5
"Reasonable distance" means a distance of twenty-five (25) feet in any direction from an area in which smoking is prohibited...smoking shall be prohibited in the following places within the city: ...e.Outdoor amphitheater seating areas, including both fixed and informal seating areas, with a view of the stage.f.Picnic areas.g.Dining areas...Smoking in all unenclosed areas shall be prohibited wi...
Jaywalking
Mountain View requires pedestrians to cross at a crosswalk anywhere in a business district; crossing mid-block there is a code violation under Sec. 19.47. A separate section adds a flat mid-block crossing ban on East Dana Street between Calderon Avenue and Pioneer Way, business-district rule aside.
Jaywalking Rules in Mountain View
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 19.47; Sec. 19.47.1
SEC. 19.47. - When pedestrians must use crosswalks. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than by a crosswalk in any business district. ... SEC. 19.47.1. - Mid-block pedestrian crossing prohibited. No pedestrian shall cross a street, except at its intersection with another street, on the sections of public streets hereinafter designated. East Dana Street: Between Calderon Avenue and Pioneer...
Public Marijuana Use
Mountain View's cannabis ordinance bars consuming cannabis, by any method, at a cannabis business's premises or in any public place, and requires posted no-consumption notices, City Code Sec. 9.100(b). The rule leans on state law for the underlying public-consumption ban (Health and Safety Code Sec. 11362.79) and is enforced locally against the cannabis business's registration, not as a standalone city crime against the individual user.
Mountain View Public Cannabis Use Ban
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 9.100(b)
Cannabis use prohibited. Cannabis may not be inhaled, smoked, eaten, ingested, vaped or otherwise used or consumed at the premises and/or in any public place, or in those areas restricted under the provisions of California Health and Safety Code Section 11362.79, Section 26200 of the Business and Professions Code or other applicable state law. A notice prohibiting smoking, ingesting and consumi...
Public Alcohol Use
Mountain View bans drinking or consuming alcohol on any public street, sidewalk, median, park or parking lot, and extends the ban to private sidewalks, building aprons and parking lots open to the public, City Code Sec. 21.70. Exceptions exist for permitted public parks, vendor or special-event alcohol permits, and situations already governed by state open-container and minor-in-possession law.
Drinking in Public Rules in Mountain View
Significant RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 21.70
a.Except as otherwise provided, no person shall drink or consume any alcoholic beverage upon any public street, highway, sidewalk, median strip, park, parking lot or any other public property.b.Except as otherwise provided, no person shall drink or consume any alcoholic beverage while upon any private sidewalk, building apron or parking lot open to the public.c.Exceptions. The provisions of thi...
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