Harrisburg, PA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Chapter 3-367 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was adopted 4-14-2004 by Ord. No. 11-2004. Section 3-367.1 treats panhandling, soliciting and begging as the same thing: asking in person for an immediate donation of money or objects of value, for charity or personal gain, using the spoken, written or printed word, gestures, signs, music, singing or other street performance. Exchanges of an item of little or no monetary value for a donation count when a reasonable person would understand the transaction as a donation in substance.

Panhandling in an aggressive manner has six defined forms: following behind, ahead or alongside a person for more than 50 feet if that is intended or likely to cause fear of bodily harm or loss of property; continuing to solicit after a negative response or after the person walks away; intentionally touching without consent; intentionally blocking the safe or free passage of a person or vehicle, including forcing evasive action; using profane or abusive language or unreasonably loud volume, or statements or gestures that would make a reasonable person fearful; and soliciting a person waiting in line for entry to a building or another purpose.

Section 3-367.2 lists eight prohibited acts. Panhandling is banned in an aggressive manner in any public place (the definition lists streets, sidewalks, parks and plazas among others); on private or residential property without permission; within 20 feet of public toilets; within 20 feet of an entrance or exit of a financial institution, check cashing business or automated teller machine without the property owner consent; with the occupant of a motor vehicle on a public street to sell goods, offer a service, or reserve or direct to a public parking space, except for emergency repairs the occupant requested; in any public transportation vehicle, stop or facility or any public parking lot or facility; within 20 feet of any pay telephone; and within 20 feet of the outside perimeter of a restaurant, outdoor or sidewalk cafe, licensed sidewalk food vendor, or a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board package store unless the owner, manager or supervisor expressly authorizes it.