Ogden, UT Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Ogden City Code section 11-5-5 targets the manner of solicitation rather than solicitation itself, which remains constitutionally protected. It defines 'aggressive manner' to include several kinds of conduct: intentionally or recklessly touching the person solicited without consent; following the person in a way intended or likely to cause fear of bodily harm or to intimidate them into responding; continuing to solicit within five feet of someone after a negative response, if that continuation is threatening or intimidating; blocking a person's or vehicle's safe passage or forcing evasive action; using obscene or abusive language or gestures meant to intimidate; and approaching in a manner likely to cause fear of bodily harm.

Beyond the aggressive-manner prohibition, the section separately bars soliciting within ten feet of the entrance or exit of any bank, credit union or similar depository institution, or within ten feet of an ATM, during that business's or machine's hours of operation, unless the property owner consents; and bars soliciting on private property once the owner, tenant or occupant has asked the person not to, or has posted a sign against solicitation. The section expressly carves out demands for payment for goods or services already rendered, and it states its own goal is protecting people from fear and intimidation, not limiting constitutionally protected solicitation, picketing or protest; a court finding any application unconstitutional severs only that application.

Ogden police enforce the rule, and a violation is a class B misdemeanor under title 1, chapter 4 of the code, following its 2014 amendment by Ordinance 2014-33.