Manchester, CT Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Town Code Ch. 236, Art. III, Panhandling
- Adopted
- May 6, 2014 by Board of Directors
- Max fine
- $99 after a police warning to stop
- Transit buffer
- No soliciting within 25 feet of a bus stop
- Exempt
- Passive, non-blocking sign requesting donations
Summary
The Town of Manchester outlaws aggressive panhandling under Town Code Chapter 236, Article III: no one may ask, beg or solicit alms in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm, or in any way that is false or misleading. Soliciting is also barred on transit vehicles, within 25 feet of a bus stop, and from drivers or occupants of vehicles in traffic.
§ 236-6. Prohibited conduct. ... A. No person may ask, beg or solicit alms, including money and other things of value, in an aggressive manner in any place open to the general public. ... ... C. No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms in any public transportation vehicle, or within 25 feet of any bus stop. D. No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms from any operator or occupant of a motor vehicle that is in traffic on a public street, unless prior approval is obtained from the Chief of Police. ... Any person who continues to engage in such prohibited conduct after being so advised by a police officer shall be guilty of violating this article and shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $99.
Full Breakdown
Adopted by the Board of Directors on May 6, 2014, Chapter 236, Article III defines AGGRESSIVE MANNER under Section 236-5 to include approaching or following a person in a way that would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm or a crime, touching someone without consent while asking for alms, continuing to ask after a negative response, following the person solicited, blocking or interfering with safe passage, or directing abusive or profane language at them. A separate FALSE OR MISLEADING MANNER definition covers claiming a fabricated need, falsely claiming to be stranded out of town, faking a disability or military service, or falsely claiming to be homeless.
Section 236-6 then bans four things outright: aggressive-manner solicitation in any place open to the public; false or misleading solicitation anywhere; solicitation on any public transportation vehicle or within 25 feet of a bus stop; and solicitation from the driver or occupant of a vehicle in traffic unless the Chief of Police approves it in advance. Section 236-7 requires the same warn-first procedure as the Town's loitering law: an officer must advise the panhandler of the violation and order them to stop before any charge attaches, and only continuing after that warning is a chargeable offense, carrying a fine not exceeding $99.
Section 236-8 exempts passively displaying a sign asking for donations, without a vocal request, as long as it does not block sidewalk or street traffic.
Violations & Fines
Continuing aggressive, false or misleading solicitation, transit-adjacent solicitation, or in-traffic solicitation after a police officer's warning to stop is a violation of Chapter 236, Article III, punishable by a fine not exceeding $99 under Section 236-7B. A passive sign asking for donations, without speaking to passersby and without blocking movement, is exempt under Section 236-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as aggressive panhandling in Manchester?
Can I ask for money near a Manchester bus stop?
What is the penalty for panhandling violations in Manchester?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manchester
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