New Orleans, LA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Section 54-412 applies only "within the Downtown Development District (DDD), as defined in section 146-193," and defines panhandling as "any solicitation made in person whereby a request is made for an immediate donation of money or other gratuity from another," including vocal appeals, but carves out passively sitting or standing with a sign and no vocal request. Subsection (b) bans panhandling outright at a bus, streetcar or train stop; inside a transit vehicle or facility; within 30 feet of a sidewalk café; within 20 feet of an ATM or bank; within eight feet of an occupied parked vehicle; and in any public park.

" Subsection (e) separately bans six aggressive acts regardless of location or hour: touching the solicited person without consent; panhandling someone standing in line to enter a business; blocking a person's path or a building or vehicle entrance; following a person who walks away after being solicited; approaching within three feet of a person who has not agreed to donate; and using profane or abusive language or gestures that would make a reasonable person fearful or feel compelled to give. Violations are punished under the Code's penalty and administrative-adjudication procedure at § 1-21, or up to 25 hours of community service per infraction.