Monterey, CA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

City Code § 22-4, adopted by Ordinance 3360 in 2005, prohibits soliciting, asking or begging "in an aggressive manner" in any public place, a term defined broadly to include streets, sidewalks, parking lots, transportation facilities, parks, beaches, trails and even the entryways and lobbies of businesses open to the public. "Aggressive manner" is defined through six specific behaviors: approaching, speaking to or following a person in a way likely to cause fear of bodily harm or property loss, or to intimidate someone into giving money; intentionally touching a person or an occupied vehicle without consent while soliciting; blocking or interfering with a pedestrian's or vehicle's safe passage, including causing someone to take evasive action; using violent or threatening gestures; persisting in following or approaching someone after being told no; and using profane or abusive language likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction.

Beyond the aggressive-manner test, § 22-4 sets absolute location and time bans regardless of manner: no soliciting within 15 feet of any bank or savings and loan entrance during business hours, or within 15 feet of an ATM while it is available for use (measured from the facility entrance if the ATM sits inside one); no soliciting after dark in any public parking lot or structure; and no loitering or soliciting while standing on a median island. Lawful vending of goods and services within those buffer zones is expressly not prohibited by the section.