Public Conduct in Scranton, PA (2026)
5 verified public conduct rules for Scranton, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Skateboarding Rules
Scranton bans skateboarding and rollerblading entirely within a downtown area bounded by Hickory Street, Vine Street, Mifflin Avenue and Jefferson Avenue, day and night. Chapter 394 of the City Code sets a written warning for a first offense, a $25 fine for a second, and up to $300 plus 90 days in the county jail for a third or later violation, with each day a separate offense.
Scranton Downtown Skateboarding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsScranton City Code § 394-2 (see also § 394-1, § 394-3)
DESIGNATED AREA The area bounded within Hickory Street, Vine Street, Miflin Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, its surrounding pavement and public street, roadways, berms and adjacent sidewalks. § ... 394-2. ... Prohibited. No person shall skateboard or rollerblade within the areas above-designated as prohibited. No person shall skateboard or rollerblade 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Loitering Rules
Scranton bans loitering in any public place that obstructs a street, sidewalk, bridge or building's free passage, under City Code § 309-2. Officers must first order violators to stop before citing them. Property owners may also bar loitering on posted private land under § 309-3, backed by matching criminal penalties for trespass onto posted lots.
Scranton's Loitering and Obstruction Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsScranton City Code § 309-2
No person shall loiter in a public place, as defined in § 309-1A, in such manner as to obstruct any public street, public sidewalk, public bridge or other public place or public building by hindering or impeding or tending to hinder or impede the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles or pedestrians. ... No person shall commit in or upon any public street, public sidewalk, public bridge or ...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Scranton designates every city park and playground where children are present as tobacco-free, banning cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes outright under City Code § 332-24. Violators must leave the park immediately and can be fined $25 under § 332-27, the only public outdoor smoking ban in the city's code.
Scranton Tobacco-Free City Parks Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsScranton City Code §§ 332-24, 332-27
All City, parks and playgrounds within the City of Scranton where children are present shall be designated as tobacco-free and the use of any tobacco product or electronic cigarette, in any form, shall be prohibited hereafter; a list of all City parks and playgrounds is attached hereto as Exhibit A ... Any person in violation of this article shall be: forced to leave the park or playground and ...
Jaywalking
Scranton City Code § 439-73 bars pedestrians from crossing a street between intersections unless a controlled crosswalk is provided there, and in residential districts forbids a mid-block crossing whenever an oncoming vehicle is within 400 feet. A violation falls under the chapter's general penalty of up to $50 and 10 days' imprisonment for nonpayment.
Scranton Mid-Block Jaywalking Rule
Some RestrictionsScranton City Code §§ 439-73, 439-12
§ 439-12. Violations and penalties. ... Whoever violates any of the non-parking related provisions of this Chapter 439 shall be fined not more than $50 and, in default of payment thereof, may be imprisoned for not more than 10 days, except as otherwise provided in this chapter or by state law. ... § 439-73. Crossing at intersections and crosswalks. Pedestrians shall not cross streets or highway...
Public Alcohol Use
Scranton bans drinking alcohol and carrying an open container of it on public sidewalks, streets, parks and other public property, and in any vehicle on those areas. A no-fee Superintendent of Police permit, requested at least three days ahead, lifts the ban for a specific event.
Scranton Open Container & Public Drinking Ban
Some RestrictionsScranton City Code §§ 158-2, 158-3
§ 158-2. Consumption. No person shall drink or consume liquor, wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages in or upon any public sidewalk, street, lane, parking lot, park or recreation area or other public property within the City of Scranton or in any vehicle upon such area within the City of Scranton except as hereinafter provided. § 158-3. Possession. No person shall have, possess, carry or tran...