Beaumont, CA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Chapter 9.36 of the Beaumont Municipal Code, Panhandling, Soliciting and Aggressive Solicitation, opens with Council findings that these problems are among the most difficult and vexing faced by the City and that prior approaches have failed (Section 9.36.010). Section 9.36.020 defines soliciting or panhandling as approaching with a request or plea, using spoken, written or printed words, bodily gestures, signs or other means to try to obtain money, employment, business, signatures or votes. Aggressive solicitation is five things: continuing to solicit after a negative response; intentionally touching or causing physical contact without consent; intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle so that the person must take evasive action; using violent or threatening gestures toward the person solicited; and following the person being solicited.

A public place is a place where a governmental entity has title and the public or a substantial group has access, including streets, highways, parking lots, plazas, transportation facilities, schools, places of amusement, parks and playgrounds. Section 9.36.030 bans aggressive solicitation there. Section 9.36.040 separately prohibits any soliciting or panhandling, aggressive or not, in three settings: within 30 feet of an entrance or exit of a bank, credit union or check cashing business, or within 30 feet of an automated teller machine, unless the property owner or other person legally in possession consents; toward an operator or occupant of a motor vehicle on any street, highway, on-ramp or off-ramp; and in any public transportation vehicle or any public or private parking lot or structure.

Section 9.36.050 requires the officer to warn the person that the conduct violates the Code and to give an opportunity to comply before any citation or arrest.