Public Conduct in Saint Paul, MN (2026)
8 verified public conduct rules for Saint Paul, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Saint Paul Legislative Code § 282.01 bans aggressive solicitation citywide: touching, blocking, following, intimidating approaches, and group panhandling are misdemeanors, and any solicitation, aggressive or not, is separately banned near ATMs, transit stops, parks, gas stations, liquor stores and crosswalks. Passive sign-holding without a vocal request stays legal.
Saint Paul Aggressive Solicitation Rules
Significant RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code § 282.01 (Aggressive Solicitation)
C.Prohibitions.1.It shall be unlawful in a public place to engage in an act of solicitation when the person being solicited is present at any of the following locations:a.In a restroom.b.At a bus stop or shelter or light rail stop or shelter...h.Within 20 feet in any direction from an automatic teller machine or entrance to a bank, other financial institution, or check cashing business.i.In a p...
Public Urination
Saint Paul Legislative Code § 280.08 flatly bans urinating in any public place, streets, alleys, parking lots, sidewalks, malls, boulevards and parks all count, and exempts only enclosures actually built as a toilet or lavatory. It's a Chapter 280 misdemeanor enforced by Saint Paul police citywide.
Saint Paul Public Urination Ban
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code § 280.08 (Urinating in public)
(a)Unlawful. It is unlawful for any person to urinate in a public place.(b)Definition. A "public place" includes any street or highway, alley, parking lot, driveway, sidewalk, mall, boulevard, park or other place open to the public view. A public place does not include an enclosure designed for use as a toilet or lavatory.
Skateboarding Rules
Saint Paul does not ban skateboarding outright. Sec. 153.02 of the Legislative Code only prohibits riding rollerblades, rollerskates, skateboards or ice skates on a public street, highway or sidewalk 'in such a manner as endangers or is likely to endanger other persons or property,' or wherever it is barred by posted signs.
Saint Paul Skateboarding Safety Rules
Light RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code § 153.02 (Rollerblading, Rollerskating, Skateboarding or Ice Skating)
No person shall ride or propel rollerblades, rollerskates, skateboards or ice skates upon a public street, highway or sidewalk within the City of Saint Paul in such a manner as endangers or is likely to endanger other persons or property, or in any manner whatsoever where prohibited by signs.
Loud Party Ordinance
Saint Paul holds hosts criminally responsible for gatherings where alcohol reaches minors. Under the Social Host Ordinance, it's a misdemeanor to host or allow an event of three or more people at any residence or property where alcohol is present if the host knows, or reasonably should know, that an underage person is possessing or consuming it and fails to stop them.
Saint Paul Social Host Liability Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code § 239.04
(a) Prohibited acts. It is unlawful for any person(s) to host or allow an event or gathering at any residence, premises, or on any other public property or private property where alcohol or alcoholic beverages are present when the person knows or reasonably should know that: alcohol or an alcoholic beverage is being possessed or consumed by an underage person; and the person failed to prevent s...
Loitering Rules
Saint Paul Legislative Code § 280.06 makes it a misdemeanor to loiter on city streets after midnight while lying in wait, hiding, or consorting with thieves, prostitutes, or "other questionable characters." Saint Paul police enforce it citywide alongside the narrower § 272.03 loitering-for-vice statute.
Saint Paul Loitering After Midnight Ban
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code § 280.06 (Loitering after midnight, etc.)
No person shall loiter about the streets after midnight and lie in wait or concealment in said City of Saint Paul, or consort with thieves, prostitutes or other questionable characters.
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Saint Paul bans smoking in every city park and within 25 feet of the entrances, exits, windows, and air intakes of public places and workplaces. Sec. 222.02, adopted in 2023, covers vaping and lit cigars, cigarettes, and pipes alike, with narrow carve-outs for posted designated smoking areas and traditional American Indian tobacco use.
Saint Paul Park and Entrance Smoking Ban
Significant RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code Sec. 222.02
It is unlawful to smoke in any park within the City of Saint Paul. It is unlawful to smoke within twenty-five (25) feet of entrances, exits, windows, and ventilation intakes of public places and places of employment within the City of Saint Paul.
Public Marijuana Use
Despite Minnesota's 2023 cannabis legalization, public consumption remains prohibited in Saint Paul streets, sidewalks, parks, and other public spaces, with violations treated as petty misdemeanors under state law.
Public Cannabis Use Banned in Saint Paul
Some RestrictionsMinn. Stat. 152.0263 (Cannabis Possession Crimes), Subd. 5 (Use of cannabis in public)
152.0263 CANNABIS POSSESSION CRIMES. [...] Subd. 5. Use of cannabis in public. A local unit of government may adopt an ordinance establishing a petty misdemeanor offense for a person who unlawfully uses cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products in a public place provided that the definition of public place does not include the following: (...
Public Alcohol Use
Saint Paul prohibits open containers of alcohol on public streets, sidewalks, and parks, with limited exceptions for licensed festivals, designated entertainment districts, and Xcel Energy Center private suites.
Open Container Banned on Saint Paul Streets
Some RestrictionsMinn. Stat. 169A.35 (Open Bottle Law), Subd. 1-5
169A.35 OPEN BOTTLE LAW. Subdivision 1. Definitions. As used in this section: (1) "alcoholic beverage" has the meaning given it in section 340A.101, subdivision 2; (2) "distilled spirits" has the meaning given it in section 340A.101, subdivision 9; (3) "motor vehicle" does not include motorboats in operation, or off-road recreational vehicles except when being operated on a roadway or shoulder ...
Looking for Ramsey County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Saint Paul city rules.
Public Conduct in Ramsey County →