Bucks County, PA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 9.21(A), Ord. No. 170 as amended by 174
- Permission required
- Written Director approval before soliciting or peddling
- Fine range
- $25-$100 ordinance ticket, or up to $600 summary
- Political signs
- Allowed only within 100 yards of polling places
- Expulsion
- 6 months to 2 years, appealable in 10 business days
Summary
Bucks County bans peddling, business solicitation and charity fundraising anywhere in the county Park System unless the Director gives written permission first. The rule, Ordinance No. 170 as amended by Ordinance No. 174, section 9.21(A), also covers handbill distribution and unauthorized signage, and pairs with a separate limit on political electioneering except near designated polling places.
No person shall: A. Peddle or solicit business of any nature whatsoever or collect any fund for any service or charity or distribute handbills or post other advertising matter including unauthorized signs on property within the Park System unless first obtaining permission in writing from the Director.
Full Breakdown
21(A) of the Bucks County Park System Rules and Regulations prohibits any person from peddling or soliciting business of any nature, collecting funds for a service or charity, distributing handbills, or posting advertising matter including unauthorized signs anywhere on property within the Park System, the county-owned or leased parkland listed in Exhibit A, unless the person first obtains written permission from the Director of the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation. 21(B) bars posting political signs or electioneering on park property, but carves out an exception within 100 yards of buildings the Bucks County Board of Elections designates as polling places, where signs may go up two days before an election and must come down within one day after it.
21 fall under the general penalty schedule at section 12: a summary conviction before a magistrate or district justice can carry a fine of up to $600 plus restitution costs and up to 10 days imprisonment, and the Director may impose a park expulsion of six months to two years depending on severity, appealable in writing to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners within 10 business days. Alternatively, under section 12(B) the Department can issue a County Ordinance ticket instead, with fines set between $25 and $100.
§ 16512. The rule applies only on county park property, not county-wide; individual townships and boroughs set their own solicitation and panhandling rules for streets and sidewalks outside the Park System.
Violations & Fines
A first solicitation or peddling violation is charged either as a summary offense carrying up to a $600 fine, restitution and up to 10 days in jail, or as a County Ordinance ticket of $25 to $100 issued directly by Park Police. The Director may also expel a violator from all Park System property for six months to two years; that expulsion can be appealed in writing to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners within 10 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask for donations in a Bucks County park?
What happens if I peddle or solicit in a park without a permit?
Are political signs allowed in county parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bucks County
Compare Bucks County to another location·View the Pennsylvania public conduct overview
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