Public Conduct in York County, VA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated York County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
In York County, Virginia, begging, soliciting and hitchhiking are flatly banned inside county public areas under County Code Sec. 17-74, covering parks, beaches, the courthouse grounds, county buildings, school grounds and the Yorktown Waterfront. Violators face a Class 4 misdemeanor under Sec. 17-4, punishable by up to a $250 fine, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense.
York County VA Bans Begging in Public Areas
Heavy RestrictionsYork County Code §§ 17-4, 17-74
(a)Violations. ... Unless otherwise provided, any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished in the manner provided by general law. ... Begging, soliciting and hitchhiking or the soliciting of transportation is prohibited.
Public Urination
Sec. 17-38 of the York County, Virginia code bans urinating or defecating anywhere in a public area except at facilities provided for that purpose, with a narrow exception for wilderness or other remote areas, and separately bars dumping body waste into comfort-station fixtures not built for it.
York County Public Urination and Defecation Ban
Some RestrictionsYork County Code § 17-38
Depositing any body waste in or on any portion of any comfort station or other public structure except into fixtures provided for that purpose is prohibited. Urinating or defecating other than at the places provided therefor is prohibited, except in wilderness or other remote areas. Placing any bottle, can, cloth, rag, metal, wood or stone substances in any of the plumbing fixtures in such stat...
Skateboarding Rules
In York County, Virginia, Sec. 17-21 of the county code bans roller skates, skateboards and roller blades on outdoor tennis courts, tracks and sidewalks immediately next to public school buildings. The county administrator or a designee can add further restrictions in other public areas by posting signs or giving verbal instructions on-site.
York County Skateboard Ban Near Schools
Light RestrictionsYork County Code § 17-21
No person shall use roller skates, skateboards or roller blades on outdoor tennis courts, tracks or sidewalks immediately adjacent to public school buildings. The use of roller skates, skateboards and roller blades may be restricted in other designated locations by the appropriate governing official by the posting of appropriate signs or through verbal instruction given by the appropriate gover...
Loitering Rules
York County makes it unlawful to loiter in or around any public place, whether or not the spot sits on private land, punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor. Property owners and tenants are exempt on their own land unless the same conduct would otherwise violate the section.
York County Loitering Ban
Some RestrictionsYork County Code § 16-1.1
Sec. 16-1.1. - Loitering.(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter in, upon or around any public place, whether or not on private property.(b)No person shall be deemed to be loitering on private property of which he is the owner or one of the owners or tenant, or as to which property he has a lawful private right, not shared by the public generally, to conduct himself in such manner that...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
In York County, Virginia, Sec. 17-23(c) bans tossing a lit cigarette, cigar, pipe heel or match into any public area, and lets the county administrator or a designee prohibit smoking outright on specific lands, roads and trails for set periods by posting signs.
York County Public-Area Smoking Restrictions
Light RestrictionsYork County Code § 17-23(c)
Smoking. Disposing of a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe heel, match or other burning material in a public area is prohibited. Additionally, the appropriate governing official, during such periods of time as he may prescribe, may prohibit smoking on any lands, including on roads and trails, by the posting of appropriate signs.
Public Marijuana Use
In York County, Virginia, Sec. 17-51 bars consuming, possessing, or being under the influence of any controlled substance defined under the Code of Virginia, marijuana included, while in a public area, unless the substance is administered or authorized under applicable law.
York County Public Marijuana and Drug Ban
Significant RestrictionsYork County Code § 17-51
Consumption prohibited. No person shall consume any controlled substance, as defined by the Code of Virginia, while in a public area, unless such consumption is expressly authorized by law.(b)Possession prohibited. No person shall possess any controlled substance, as defined by the Code of Virginia, while in a public area, unless such possession is expressly authorized by law.(c)Under the influ...
Public Alcohol Use
Sec. 17-50 of the York County, Virginia code bars drinking any alcoholic beverage, or even holding an open container of one, in a public area unless it's served at a county-approved facility or event where all state ABC laws are followed.
York County Public Area Alcohol Ban
Significant RestrictionsYork County Code § 17-50
Consumption of alcoholic beverages prohibited. No person shall consume any alcoholic beverage while in a public area, unless such beverage is served at a facility or event for which such consumption of alcoholic beverages has been approved by the appropriate governing authority, and all alcoholic beverage control laws have been complied with.(b)Possession of alcoholic beverages prohibited. No p...
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