Los Angeles, CA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Section
- LAMC § 41.59 (amended Ord. No. 173,705, eff. 1/27/01)
- Bank / ATM buffer
- 15 feet from any entrance or ATM
- Parking lot restriction
- All solicitation banned after dark
- Public transit prohibition
- Soliciting on any public transportation vehicle is a violation
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor or infraction at City Attorney's discretion
Summary
LAMC § 41.59 prohibits soliciting, asking, or begging in an aggressive manner in any public place, and separately bans all solicitation within 15 feet of bank entrances and ATMs, in public parking lots after dark, and on public transportation vehicles.
(b) Aggressive Solicitation prohibited. (1) No person shall solicit, ask or beg in an aggressive manner in any public place. (2) 'Aggressive manner' shall mean any of the following: (A) Approaching or speaking to a person, or following a person before, during or after soliciting, asking or begging, if that conduct is intended or is likely to cause a reasonable person to (i) fear bodily harm to oneself or to another, damage to or loss of property, or (ii) otherwise be intimidated into giving money or other thing of value; (B) Intentionally touching or causing physical contact with another person or an occupied vehicle without that person's consent in the course of soliciting, asking or begging; (C) Intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle by any means... (D) Using violent or threatening gestures toward a person solicited... (c) All solicitation prohibited at specified locations. (1) Banks and ATMs. No person shall solicit, ask or beg within 15 feet of any entrance or exit of any bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or check cashing business during its business hours or within 15 feet of any automated teller machine during the time it is available for customers' use.
Full Breakdown
'Aggressive manner' is defined to include following a person, physical contact without consent, blocking free passage, threatening gestures, persistent solicitation after refusal, and profane or abusive language likely to provoke a violent reaction. The section's complete ban within 15 feet of banks and ATMs applies during business hours for bank entrances and whenever the ATM is available for use; ATMs inside supermarkets, airports, and schools are exempt. The parking-lot prohibition runs from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and does not apply to business-related solicitations or emergency repair requests.
Violations & Fines
Violation is punishable as a misdemeanor or infraction, at the City Attorney's discretion, under LAMC § 11.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to ask for money on a Los Angeles street?
Can someone ask for money in a parking lot?
What is the penalty?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
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Aggressive Panhandling in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle aggressive panhandling.