Public Conduct in Pontiac, MI (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for Pontiac, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Pontiac's begging ordinance, City Code Sections 86-145 through 86-148, does not ban panhandling outright but makes it a misdemeanor to solicit in an aggressive manner, defined to include unwanted physical contact, following, blocking someone's path, obscene language or threats meant to intimidate a donation. Soliciting after sunset or before sunrise, or lying about the reason for the request, is separately a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500.00 or 90 days in jail, or both.
Pontiac Aggressive Panhandling and Begging Rules
Significant RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 86-145, 86-146, 86-148
“Aggressive manner” means and includes: (1) Intentionally or recklessly making any physical contact with or touching another person in the course of the solicitation without the person’s consent; or ... (4) Intentionally or recklessly blocking the safe or free passage of the person being solicited or requiring the person, or the driver of a vehicle, to take evasive action to avoid physical cont...
Public Urination
Public urination and defecation are unlawful anywhere in the City of Pontiac outside a restroom under City Code Section 86-63, covering streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks and any other place open to the public, plus private property when the act is visible to the public. There is no specific fine written into Section 86-63, so a violation falls under the Code's general penalty of up to $500.00 or 90 days in jail, or both.
Pontiac Public Urination and Defecation Ban
Some RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 86-63, 1-25
Except where a restroom is used, it shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate: (1) While on or in any public street, sidewalk, alley, park, parking lot, parking structure, public carrier or any other place open to the public; or (2) While on or in any private property when said act is open to public view. ... Whenever in this Code or in any ordinance of the city any act or failure...
Skateboarding Rules
City Code § 114-22 bars anyone on roller skates or riding a coaster, toy vehicle, "or similar device" (language broad enough to reach skateboards) from any roadway in the City of Pontiac, unless crossing at a marked crosswalk or riding a street the chief of police has posted as a play street under § 114-15.
Pontiac Skateboards, Coasters, Skates Roadway Rule
Significant RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 114-22, 114-15
No person upon roller skates or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar device, shall go upon any roadway except: (1) While crossing a street on a crosswalk; and (2) Upon streets set aside as play streets as authorized by the chief of police. ... Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating any street or part thereof as a play street, no person shall drive a vehi...
Loitering Rules
In the City of Pontiac, City Code § 58-92 makes it unlawful to "knowingly loiter" about any building, vacant lot, street, store, vehicle or other place where controlled substances are illegally sold, used or stored. It is not a general anti-loitering law; it targets loitering tied to drug activity, and first offenders face a mandatory minimum fine and up to a week in jail.
Pontiac Bans Loitering Near Drug Activity
Significant RestrictionsPontiac City Code § 58-92
No person shall knowingly loiter about any building, house, vacant lot, street, curb, lawn, alley, yard, apartment, store, automobile, boat, boathouse, airplane or other place where controlled substances are illegally sold, used, dispensed, furnished, given away or stored.
Jaywalking
City Code § 114-255 requires pedestrians in the City of Pontiac to stay off the main traveled roadway wherever a sidewalk exists, and to walk facing traffic on the left where none does. Section 114-256 subjects pedestrians to traffic signals at intersections and requires drivers to use due care for pedestrians elsewhere on the roadway.
Pontiac Pedestrian Roadway and Crossing Rules
Light RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 114-255–114-256
114-255 Walking on roadways. ... Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall walk upon the main traveled portion of the highway. Where sidewalks are not provided, pedestrians shall, when practicable, walk on the left side of the highway facing traffic which passes nearest. ... 114-256 Pedestrians subject to traffic control signals. (a) Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic control signa...
Public Alcohol Use
In the City of Pontiac, City Code § 10-2 makes it unlawful to drink, carry or possess unsealed alcoholic liquor on public streets, alleys, parks, sidewalks, parkways or public and open-to-the-public parking lots, unless the area is licensed. Consuming alcohol in an unlicensed park, stadium or amusement place is also barred, with a narrow carve-out for permitted events at the Phoenix Center Plaza.
Pontiac Bans Open Alcohol on Public Property
Heavy RestrictionsPontiac City Code § 10-2
(a) No person shall drink, consume, transport, carry or possess any alcoholic liquor, except in the original package and with the seal unbroken, on the public streets, alleys, parks, sidewalks, parkways, public parking lots or private parking lots open to the general public, unless the area is properly licensed to conduct such activity. The term “private parking lots open to the general publ...
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