Public Conduct in Waco, TX (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for Waco, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Waco makes it a criminal offense to solicit money in an aggressive manner anywhere in public, meaning intimidating, threatening, or obstructive conduct toward the person being asked. The ordinance also bans all solicitation, aggressive or not, within 25 feet of ATMs, banks, and check-cashing businesses, at marked crosswalks, near school and childcare entrances, on buses, and citywide within the downtown Public Improvement District overnight.
Waco Aggressive Solicitation Ban
Significant RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances §§ 13-357, 13-358
A person commits an offense if the person solicits: (1)In an aggressive manner in a public area;(2)In a bus, at a bus station or stop, or at a facility operated by a transportation authority for passengers;(3)Within 25 feet of:a.An automated teller facility;b.The entrance or exit of a bank;c.The entrance or exit of a check cashing business;d.At a marked crosswalk; or(4)On either side of the str...
Public Urination
It is a criminal offense in Waco to urinate or defecate in or on a public area, or anywhere in public view, under city code. "Public area" is defined broadly to include sidewalks, streets, parks, parking lots, alleys, plazas, and the outdoor common areas of schools, hospitals, apartments, and office buildings, and the only defense is that the person was using a restroom.
Waco Public Urination and Defecation Ban
Heavy RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 13-374
A person commits an offense if the person urinates or defecates: (1)In or on a public area; or(2)In public view.(3)It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section if the person is in a restroom.
Skateboarding Rules
Waco's traffic code treats skateboards, roller skates and other "toy vehicles" as a street hazard: Section 25-9(b) bans riding one on any street in the city outright, the sole exception being a straight crossing at a marked crosswalk, where the skater picks up a pedestrian's rights and duties for that one crossing only.
Waco Bans Skateboards From City Streets
Significant RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 25-9(b)
Roller skates, coasters, skateboards, toy vehicles. No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, skateboard, toy vehicle or similar device shall go upon any street, except while crossing a street on a crosswalk, and when so crossing, such person shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians.
Loitering Rules
Waco makes it unlawful to loiter, remain, wander, or prowl near any public or private place for the purpose of engaging in drug-related activity under the Texas Controlled Substances Act. Code Sec. 14-7 lists eleven circumstances officers can weigh, from acting as a lookout to fleeing on sight, and requires giving the person a chance to explain before any arrest.
Waco Loitering for Drug Activity Is a Criminal Offense
Some RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 14-7(a)-(b)
(a)It is unlawful for any person to loiter, remain, wander or prowl in or near any thoroughfare, place open to the public, or near any public or private place for the purpose to engage in drug-related activities contrary to V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code ch. 481 entitled "Texas Controlled Substance Act" and in a manner and under circumstances manifesting a purpose to sell, purchase, manufactu...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Waco extends its smoke-free rule outdoors: smoking is banned in every city park and playground and at any public event on city property, plus within 15 feet of the doors, windows or vents of any enclosed no-smoking space. Golf-course tees through greens are exempt.
Waco Bans Smoking in Parks and Playgrounds
Significant RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances §§ 16-121(b), 16-123 (Smoking prohibited areas; Reasonable distance)
Sec. 16-121(b): "Smoking is hereby prohibited in the following non-enclosed public places: parks and playgrounds as defined in this article, and at public events held on property owned or occupied by the city and used for city purposes." Sec. 16-123: "Smoking is hereby prohibited at any place within 15 feet of any entrances, windows, ventilation systems or any other openings of an enclosed area...
Public Alcohol Use
Waco prohibits possessing an open alcoholic beverage in any designated neighborhood or community park, a list that covers two dozen named parks including Pioneer Park, Kendrick Park and Mountainview Park. Violators must leave when told to by park staff, though the code carries no criminal fine for a breach.
Waco Bans Open Alcohol in Neighborhood Parks
Some RestrictionsWaco, TX Code of Ordinances § 17-11 (Ord. No. 2004-0072, § 1, 2-3-04; Ord. No. 2014-337, § 1, 6-17-14)
(a)Except as provided by subsection (f), no person may possess an alcoholic beverage in a public neighborhood or community park within the corporate limits of the city.(b)Neighborhood and community parks are those public parks designated as such in the Waco Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, including Pioneer Park, Trail Blazer Park, East Waco Park, Seley Park, S.J. Gut...