Pasadena, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- PMC § 12.12.080
- Property storage period
- Minimum 30 days after removal
- Constitutional carve-out
- Protected speech/labor activity exempted
- Default penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail
- Begging-specific ban
- Blocking passage or threatening approach while soliciting money
Summary
Pasadena bans sitting or standing on a street, alley, sidewalk or crosswalk in a way that hinders passage, and separately bans blocking someone's path to beg for money or approaching them in a threatening manner while begging. Exceptions cover permitted activity, parades, labor actions and constitutionally protected conduct.
A.It is unlawful for any person to stand or sit in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, or crosswalk so as in any manner to hinder or obstruct the free passage of persons passing along the same except as follows: for a use or activity for which a permit has been previously obtained from the city, or for a use under the terms of a valid license agreement with the city, or for viewing a parade or similar event for which a permit has been issued, or for lawful labor activities that are permitted to be carried out by state or federal law, or for activities protected by the California Constitution or the United States Constitution. ... C.It is unlawful for any person to impede the progress of another or to hinder or obstruct any person from freely passing by on any street, alley, sidewalk, or crosswalk, for the purpose of soliciting, asking, or begging for money; or to approach any person in any public way or place in a threatening, coercive or menacing manner for the purpose of soliciting, asking, or begging for money.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 79 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
080, part of the "obstruction abatement code," makes it unlawful for any person to stand or sit in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk or crosswalk in a manner that hinders or obstructs the free passage of others, unless the conduct falls under a permit already obtained from the city, a valid license agreement with the city, viewing a permitted parade, lawful labor activity protected by state or federal law, or activity protected by the California or United States Constitution. A separate subsection makes it unlawful to place personal property on a street, alley, sidewalk or crosswalk in a way that hinders or obstructs free passage; the city may remove that property if the owner is not present or unable to move it, must give notice of the removal, and must store the property for at least 30 days.
A third subsection targets solicitation directly: it is unlawful to impede another's progress or hinder free passage for the purpose of soliciting, asking or begging for money, and separately unlawful to approach anyone in a public way in a threatening, coercive or menacing manner for that same purpose. The section's constitutional and permit carve-outs mean lawful protest, parade-watching, and permitted vendor or dining activity are not swept in, but unpermitted sitting, camping-style property placement, or aggressive panhandling on a public sidewalk all fall within the ordinance's reach.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 12.12's fixed misdemeanor penalty in Section 12.12.070 applies only to Sections 12.12.020-12.12.060, so a violation of the sit-lie and personal-property provisions in Section 12.12.080 falls to the citywide default under Section 1.24.020: up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months imprisonment, or both, unless charged instead as an infraction or civil administrative penalty under Section 1.24.010. Removed personal property is held by the city for a minimum of 30 days before disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to sit on a Pasadena sidewalk?
Can Pasadena remove a homeless person's belongings from a sidewalk?
What counts as illegal panhandling in Pasadena?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasadena
California rules heatmap·Compare Pasadena to another location·View the California homelessness & encampment rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Sit-Lie Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle sit-lie rules.