Public Conduct in Shoreline, WA (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for Shoreline, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
In the City of Shoreline, begging with intent to intimidate someone into giving money or goods in any public place is a misdemeanor under Shoreline Municipal Code § 9.10.140. The ordinance defines aggressive begging, begging, intimidate and public place, and covers streets, sidewalks, parking areas and public parks.
Shoreline Aggressive Begging Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 9.10.140
§ 9.10.140. Aggressive begging. A. Any person who engages in aggressive begging in any public place in the city as those terms are defined by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. B. As used in this section: 1. “Aggressive begging” means to beg with intent to intimidate another person into giving money or goods. 2. “Begging” means to ask for money or goods as a charity, whether by words, bod...
Public Urination
Shoreline Municipal Code § 9.10.640 makes it a civil infraction to intentionally urinate or defecate in public, in any place other than a washroom or toilet room, or anywhere the act could be seen by the public. A first offense draws a civil fine of up to $250; a second or later offense is a misdemeanor.
Shoreline Fines Public Urination Up to $250
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 9.10.640
§ 9.10.640. Urinating in public. Any person who intentionally urinates or defecates in a public place, other than a washroom or toilet room, or at a place and under circumstances where such act could be observed by any member of the public, shall be subject to a civil fine not to exceed $250.00 for a first offense. For second and subsequent offenses, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Skateboarding Rules
In the City of Shoreline, skateboards and rollerblades may be used in city park facilities only where the parks department has specifically designated the activity. SMC § 8.12.330 bars skateboarding or rollerblading elsewhere in a park, and King County transit rules separately ban skateboarding on transit property, making unposted sidewalks and plazas off-limits by default.
Skateboarding Limited to Designated Shoreline Park Areas
Significant RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 8.12.330
No person shall be permitted to skateboard or rollerblade in park facilities unless otherwise designated by the department.
Loitering Rules
Shoreline Municipal Code § 9.10.560 designates the Aurora Avenue corridor between 145th and 205th Streets a Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution (SOAP) zone, an anti-prostitution emphasis area where courts impose enhanced penalties for prostitution loitering, pandering and patronizing a prostitute. A judge can also name any other area a SOAP zone for a specific defendant by court order.
Shoreline Bans Prostitution Loitering in SOAP Zone
Significant RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 9.10.560
D. The following described areas of the city are designated to be anti-prostitution emphasis areas and enhanced penalties shall be applied in event of conviction of unlawful acts of prostitution, prostitution loitering, permitting prostitution or pandering, or patronizing a prostitute, within the said areas, pursuant to this chapter, in order to assure elimination of all prostitution and prosti...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
SMC § 8.12.395 prohibits smoking and tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and electronic or vaporized smoking devices, in every city park area, trail, athletic field, and recreation facility in the City of Shoreline. The ban covers e-cigarettes and vapes, not just traditional cigarettes, with no carve-out for parking lots or shelters.
Shoreline Bans Smoking In City Parks
Heavy RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code §§ 8.12.395, 8.12.530
§ 8.12.395. Smoking prohibited. Smoking and tobacco use of any kind, including but not limited to the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and electronic or vaporized smoking devices, is prohibited in any city park area, trail, athletic field, or recreation facilities. ... Violation of any provision of Article III of this chapter shall be a civil infraction. ... Any perso...
Public Alcohol Use
In the City of Shoreline, opening, consuming, or possessing an open container of liquor in a public place carries a civil fine of up to $50.00 under Shoreline Municipal Code § 9.10.160. The rule does not apply to a closed container stored in a vehicle's trunk or an area not normally occupied by the driver or passengers.
Shoreline Open Container of Alcohol Law
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 9.10.160
§ 9.10.160. Alcoholic beverage control – Opening or consuming liquor or possessing open container of liquor in public place. Except as provided by RCW Title 66 or SMC § 8.12.500, relating to park rules, any person who possesses an open container of liquor in a public place shall be subject to a civil fine not to exceed $50.00; provided, that this provision shall not apply to containers kept in ...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Shoreline city rules.
Public Conduct in King County →