Travis County and Austin prohibit aggressive panhandling such as touching, blocking paths, or soliciting at ATMs and bus stops, while passive sign-holding remains protected speech under federal court rulings.
Austin City Code prohibits aggressive solicitation including unwanted touching, intimidating gestures, blocking pedestrians or vehicles, and approaching people at ATMs, transit stops, sidewalk cafes, or parked vehicles. Travis County in unincorporated areas relies on Texas Penal Code disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, and obstruction statutes rather than a separate panhandling ordinance. Federal courts have struck broad solicitation bans, so passive sign-holding on medians remains constitutionally protected. TXDOT median-safety rules and county roadway right-of-way orders can still restrict solicitation in dangerous traffic locations.
Aggressive solicitation, ATM-zone panhandling, or pedestrian obstruction is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500; criminal trespass after warning is a Class B misdemeanor with possible jail time.
See how Travis County's aggressive panhandling rules stack up against other locations.
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