Public Conduct in Richland, WA (2026)
5 verified public conduct rules for Richland, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Public Urination
In the City of Richland, Washington, urinating or defecating anywhere other than a washroom or toilet room counts as a lewd act under Richland Municipal Code § 9.34.025 whenever it happens in a public place or where it could be seen by the public. A conviction is a misdemeanor.
Richland Public Urination Lewd Conduct Law
Some RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 9.34.025
As used in this section the definition of a "lewd act" is: ... ... 4. Urination or defecation in a place other than a washroom or toilet room. ... A person is guilty of lewd conduct if he or she intentionally performs any lewd act in a public place or at a place and under circumstance where such act could be observed by any member of the public. ... Any person found violating any provision of t...
Skateboarding Rules
Richland Municipal Code § 11.50.020 bans riding a skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates or a scooter on any sidewalk within the uptown shopping area, the district bounded by Jadwin Avenue, Williams Boulevard, George Washington Way and Symons Street. Citywide, RMC § 11.50.030 separately bans negligent operation of the same devices on any public roadway, sidewalk or parking lot, and every Chapter 11.50 violation carries a $250 traffic infraction penalty.
Richland Skateboarding Ban in Uptown
Significant RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code §§ 11.50.010, 11.50.020
§ 11.50.010. Definitions. ... "Uptown shopping area," for the purposes of this chapter, is defined as an area bounded by the east border of the sidewalk of Jadwin Avenue, the north border of the sidewalk of Williams Boulevard, the west border of the sidewalk of George Washington Way and the south border of the sidewalk on Symons Street immediately adjacent to the uptown shopping area. ... ... §...
Loitering Rules
The City of Richland, Washington abolished its own loitering statute. Richland Municipal Code § 9.06.080, once titled 'Loitering,' now reads only 'Repealed by Ord. 20-11.' No standalone crime of loitering exists on the books today; the Richland Police Department instead charges disorderly conduct, trespass, or failure to disperse when someone lingers unlawfully in public.
Richland Repealed Its Loitering Law
Few RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 9.06.080
§ 9.06.080. Loitering. Repealed by Ord. 20-11.
Public Marijuana Use
The City of Richland, Washington does not write its own public marijuana consumption offense; instead Richland Municipal Code § 9.09.010 adopts RCW 69.50.445, the state law against opening a package of or consuming marijuana in view of the general public, by reference with full local force, alongside Washington's medical cannabis affirmative defenses under § 9.09.020.
Richland Adopts State Ban on Public Pot Use
Significant RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 9.09.010
The following Revised Code of Washington (RCW) sections, as currently enacted or as hereafter amended or recodified from time to time, are hereby adopted by reference and shall be given the same force and effect as if set forth herein in full: ... RCW 69. ... 50.445 Opening Package of or Consuming Marijuana, Useable Marijuana, or Marijuana-Infused Product in View of General Public – Penalty.
Public Alcohol Use
In the City of Richland, Washington, opening a package of liquor or drinking it in any public place is an infraction under Richland Municipal Code § 9.24.120, enacted as part of the city's police-power chapter enforcing Washington's liquor control statutes. Breaking the official seal on a liquor container in public is barred the same way.
Richland Public Alcohol Consumption Ban
Some RestrictionsRichland Municipal Code § 9.24.120
Except as permitted by RCW Title 66 and this chapter and any amendments hereto, no person shall in any public place open any package containing liquor or consume liquor, or break any seal used by the board to seal a container of liquor. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of an infraction as provided in RCW 66.44.100.
Looking for Benton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Richland city rules.
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