Public Conduct in Riverside, CA (2026)
9 verified public conduct rules for Riverside, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Riverside bans two different things under RMC §9.04.010: soliciting 'in an aggressive manner' anywhere in public, and soliciting at all in a list of specific high-risk spots, within 15 feet of a bank or ATM, from vehicle occupants, in parking lots after dark, on public transit, at gas pumps, near driveways, on medians and freeway ramps, and at outdoor dining areas.
Riverside Bans Aggressive Solicitation Citywide
Significant RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code § 9.04.010(D)-(E)
D. Aggressive solicitation prohibited. No person shall solicit, ask or beg in an aggressive manner in any public place. E. All solicitation prohibited at specified locations. 1. Banks and ATMs. No person shall solicit, ask or beg within 15 feet of any entrance or exit of any bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or check cashing business during its business hours or within 15 feet o...
Public Urination
RMC § 9.04.400(E) makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate in public anywhere in Riverside, except in a urinal, toilet, or commode inside a bathroom or restroom enclosed from public view. The rule sits inside the City's broader 'Conduct on public property' section and is chargeable as a misdemeanor or infraction.
Riverside Prohibits Public Urination and Defecation
Heavy RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code § 9.04.400(E) (Ord. 7548 § 1, 2021)
E. Public urination and defecation prohibited. No person shall urinate or defecate in public except when using a urinal, toilet or commode located in a bathroom or restroom enclosed from public view.
Skateboarding Rules
Riverside Municipal Code § 9.04.290 makes it unlawful to ride a bicycle, scooter, roller skates, skateboard, or similar contrivance on any sidewalk inside a business district, including the Main Street Mall between Sixth and Tenth Streets. The same prohibition reaches private sidewalks and parking lots in business districts once the owner posts a sign citing this section.
Riverside Sidewalk Skateboard and Bike Ban
Significant RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code § 9.04.290 (Ord. 7012 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5641 § 1, 1988)
A. It is unlawful for any person to ride upon any bicycle, scooter, roller skate or skates, skateboard or other similar contrivance upon any sidewalk within any business district within the City, or upon the Main Street Mall bordered by Sixth Street on the north and Tenth Street on the south. B. It is unlawful for any person to ride upon any bicycle, scooter, roller skate or skates, skateboard ...
Loud Party Ordinance
RMC § 9.04.740 declares loud or unruly gatherings a public nuisance and makes the 'responsible party', host, tenant, or property owner, subject to fines. The City can order attendees to leave, cite the property, or arrest anyone committing a separate criminal violation during the gathering.
Riverside Loud or Unruly Gathering Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code § 9.04.740(A)-(B) (Ord. 7490 § 2, 2019)
A. Loud or unruly gatherings are prohibited and shall constitute a public nuisance. The responsible party shall be subject to fines and/or penalties under this chapter. B. The City may abate a loud or unruly gathering by all available means, including, but not limited to, an order of a peace officer requiring persons at the loud or unruly gathering to leave the property or the public right-of-w...
Loitering Rules
Riverside Municipal Code § 9.04.120 makes it unlawful to loiter, stand, or sit at the entrance of any church, hall, theater, or place of public assemblage in a way that obstructs the entrance. The rule dates to the City's prior code § 21.33 and targets entrance-blocking, not loitering generally.
Riverside Bans Loitering at Public Entrances
Light RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code § 9.04.120 (prior code § 21.33)
It is unlawful for any person to loiter or to stand or sit in or at the entrance of any church, hall, theater, or place of public assemblage so as to in any manner obstruct such entrance.
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Riverside bans smoking, including electronic cigarettes, in any public place under RMC Chapter 6.23. City buildings, parks, restaurants, bars, stores, stadiums, gas stations, playgrounds, taxis, buses, and transit stops are all off-limits, whether the location is publicly or privately owned, whenever it is open to the general public.
Riverside Smoking Ban in Public Places
Significant RestrictionsCity of Riverside, CA, Municipal Code § 6.23.040
It is unlawful for any person to smoke or to dispose of any lighted match or cigarette, cigar ashes or any flaming or glowing substance in any public place including any place within the city, public or private, that is open to the general public regardless of any fee or age requirement, including, for example, city buildings, facilities, parks and community centers; bars; restaurants; stores; ...
Jaywalking
Jaywalking is illegal in Riverside's business districts. RMC § 10.40.050 requires every pedestrian to cross at a marked crosswalk there, and the same crosswalk-only rule reaches the unmarked side of any intersection that has a marked crosswalk, as long as the City has posted signs giving notice of the requirement.
Riverside Pedestrians Must Use Crosswalks Rule
Light RestrictionsCity of Riverside, CA, Municipal Code § 10.40.050
No pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than by a marked crosswalk in any business district, or at any unmarked side of any intersection with marked crosswalks, provided signs are erected giving notice thereof.
Public Marijuana Use
Riverside Municipal Code § 9.07.040 makes it unlawful for anyone under 18 to consume cannabis, alcohol, or any other controlled substance in a public place or place open to the public. The rule sits inside the city's Social Host of Minors Accountability chapter, adopted to curb underage gatherings.
Riverside Bars Minors From Public Cannabis Use
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Riverside, CA, Municipal Code § 9.07.040
Except as permitted by state law, it is unlawful for any minor to: A.Consume at any public place or any place open to the public any alcoholic beverage, cannabis, or other controlled substance; or B.Consume at any place that is not open to the public any alcoholic beverage, unless in connection with the consumption of the alcoholic beverage that minor is being supervised by his or her parent or...
Public Alcohol Use
RMC § 9.05.030 makes it unlawful to drink or consume any alcoholic beverage in any public place in Riverside, and § 9.05.020 separately bars possessing an open alcoholic beverage container on posted premises next to off-sale liquor stores or in any City park. Violations are infractions under § 9.05.060.
Riverside Bans Open Containers and Public Drinking
Heavy RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code §§ 9.05.020(A), 9.05.030 (Ord. 6552 § 1, 2000; Ord. 6433 § 1, 1998)
9.05.020.A. Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 647e (a), it shall be unlawful for any person who has in his or her possession any bottle, can or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage which has been opened, or a seal broken or the contents of which have been partially removed, to enter, be or remain on the posted premises of, including the posted parking lot immediately adjac...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Riverside city rules.
Public Conduct in Riverside County →