Coral Gables, FL Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 38-8
- Buffer zone
- 15 feet from ATMs, entrances, bus stops
- Max penalty
- $500 fine / 60 days jail
- Alternative
- Referral to homeless assistance programs
Summary
Coral Gables bans aggressive begging, accosting, and soliciting money within 15 feet of ATMs, pay phones, bus stops, and building entrances citywide.
A person is guilty of pedestrian interference if, in a public place, he/she intentionally: a. Obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic; or b. Aggressively begs. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit money or other things of value: ... c. Within 15 feet of an automatic teller machine ... h. Within 15 feet of the entrance or exit from a building, public or private...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Fee Schedule: Supplement 2 | Zoning Code: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 38-8 makes it "pedestrian interference" to obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or to "aggressively beg" in any public place, and separately bans soliciting money within 15 feet of an ATM, pay phone, bus stop, taxi stand, public restroom, or any building entrance/exit. It also outlaws accosting someone or forcing oneself upon the company of another while soliciting, and bans soliciting on private property once the owner or occupant has objected or posted a no-soliciting sign. Violations run through the general Code penalty in Sec. 1-7.
Violations & Fines
Punishable under Sec. 1-7: up to $500 fine, up to 60 days imprisonment, or both, per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all panhandling illegal in Coral Gables?
Can I ask someone to stop soliciting on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coral Gables
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Coral Gables to another location·View the Florida public conduct overview
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