Houston, TX Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Code section
- Houston Ch. 28 Art. XV
- First fine ceiling
- Up to $500 Class C
- ATM buffer
- Solicitation banned near machines
- Repeat charge
- Class B misdemeanor possible
- Passive begging
- Constitutionally protected speech
Summary
Houston Code Chapter 28, Article XV bans aggressive solicitation involving touching, blocking pedestrians, persistent following, threatening conduct, or solicitation near ATMs and bus stops. Texas Penal Code Section 22.06 covers any physical contact. Passive sign-holding remains protected speech.
Sec. 552.007. SOLICITATION BY PEDESTRIANS. (a) A person may not stand in a roadway to solicit a ride, contribution, employment, or business from an occupant of a vehicle, except that a person may stand in a roadway to solicit a charitable contribution if authorized to do so by the local authority having jurisdiction over the roadway.(b) A person may not stand on or near a highway to solicit the watching or guarding of a vehicle parked or to be parked on the highway.(c) In this section, "charitable contribution" means a contribution to an organization defined as charitable by the standards of the United States Internal Revenue Service. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Full Breakdown
Houston targets aggressive panhandling through Chapter 28 of the Code of Ordinances rather than a flat ban on begging, which the Fifth Circuit struck down in cases like Reynolds v. Middleton. The ordinance prohibits solicitation involving physical touching, blocking pedestrian or vehicle movement, persistent following after refusal, profane or threatening language, or asking for money near ATMs, banks, bus stops, gas pumps, and outdoor patios. Solicitation from a vehicle on the roadway is also restricted. Texas Penal Code Section 22.06 (offensive contact) and Section 42.072 (stalking) supplement enforcement. HPD typically issues warnings before citing. The first violation is a Class C misdemeanor; threatening conduct can become Class B. Passive sign-holding remains constitutionally protected.
Violations & Fines
First violation is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500. Threatening conduct, repeat offenses, or assault upgrades the charge to Class B misdemeanor with up to 180 days jail and $2,000 fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone hold a sign asking for money in Houston?
Where is solicitation specifically prohibited in Houston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Houston to another location·View the Texas public conduct overview
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Aggressive Panhandling in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle aggressive panhandling.