Lancaster, CA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Section 9.36.010 defines "aggressive manner" to include approaching, speaking to or following a person in a way intended or likely to cause fear of bodily harm or property loss, or to intimidate someone into giving money; intentionally touching a person or occupied vehicle without consent while soliciting; blocking or interfering with safe pedestrian or vehicle passage; using violent or threatening gestures; persisting after being told no; and using profane or abusive language likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction. Section 9.36.020 makes any solicitation conducted in that manner unlawful in any public place.

Section 9.36.030 adds location-specific bans that do not depend on aggressive conduct. No one may solicit within thirty feet of a bank, savings and loan, credit union, check-cashing business or ATM during business hours, unless the ATM sits inside a non-banking building like a supermarket or airport. No one may approach a motor vehicle occupant to solicit, and no one may solicit in a public parking lot or structure after dark, defined as thirty minutes after sunset to thirty minutes before sunrise, except for on-site business solicitations, towing or emergency vehicle repairs. Soliciting on a public transit vehicle or within twenty feet of a transit stop, or in a restaurant's dining area, becomes a violation once the person is asked to leave by the owner, operator or a peace officer and either stays or returns within thirty days without permission.

Section 9.36.040 makes a violation a misdemeanor chargeable at the district attorney's or city prosecutor's discretion, with an administrative citation available as an alternative under the Section 1.12.020 fee schedule.