Georgetown, TX Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 9.12.040
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 2025-30, June 24, 2025
- Covered areas
- Streets, sidewalks, street medians
- Aggressive acts listed
- 6 specific behaviors
- Penalty section
- Sec. 9.12.050 / Sec. 1.08.010
Summary
Georgetown makes it unlawful to aggressively panhandle or solicit on public streets, sidewalks, or street medians. The ordinance defines six specific behaviors that cross from ordinary solicitation into an aggressive panhandling offense, from threatening gestures to blocking pedestrians.
It shall be unlawful for a person to aggressively panhandle or solicit in public streets, sidewalks, or from street medians within the City limits. As used in this Section, aggressively panhandling or soliciting means: 1. Using violent or threatening gestures toward a person panhandled or solicited; 2. Continuing to solicit from a person after the person has given a negative response to such panhandling or soliciting; 3. Intentionally touching or causing physical contact with another person without that person's consent in the course of panhandling or soliciting; 4. While panhandling or soliciting, intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle by any means, including causing a pedestrian or vehicle operator to take evasive action to avoid physical contact.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
040 of the Georgetown Code of Ordinances, adopted by Ord. No. 2025-30 on June 24, 2025, prohibits aggressively panhandling or soliciting in public streets, sidewalks, or from street medians within city limits. "Solicit" or "panhandle" is defined broadly as requesting, by spoken, written, or printed word or any other means, an immediate or future donation or transfer of money or another thing of value, regardless of the purpose. The ordinance lists six specific acts that constitute aggressive conduct: using violent or threatening gestures; continuing to solicit after a negative response; intentionally touching another person without consent while soliciting; intentionally blocking or interfering with safe pedestrian or vehicle passage, including causing evasive action; soliciting anyone waiting in line for tickets, building entry, or any other purpose; and an individual or group of two or more approaching or following a person to solicit in a manner likely to cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm, property damage, or to feel harassed or intimidated.
This 2025 rewrite repealed and replaced a narrower 2003 panhandling section (former Ord. No. 2003-36, § 3). It sits alongside a companion sit-lie ordinance in the same chapter, both enacted the same day as part of a downtown public-conduct overhaul.
Violations & Fines
Violation is prosecuted under Section 9.12.050, which sets the penalty at whatever is prescribed under Section 1.08.010 of the Code, the City's general penalty provision for Code of Ordinances misdemeanors. Each instance of aggressive solicitation is a separate offense, and Georgetown police enforce the section directly on downtown streets, sidewalks, and medians.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all panhandling illegal in Georgetown?
Does following someone count as aggressive panhandling?
What is the penalty for violating this ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Georgetown
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Georgetown to another location·View the Texas public conduct overview
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