Philly Code 10-611 bans aggressive panhandling — touching, blocking, threats, or soliciting at ATMs and bus stops. Passive begging is protected speech under the First Amendment. PA 18 §5503 disorderly-conduct law layers on for harassment.
Philadelphia Code 10-611 prohibits aggressive panhandling, defined as soliciting with intimidation: blocking pedestrians, touching, following after a refusal, or threatening language. The ordinance also bans solicitation within 15 feet of ATMs, bus stops, outdoor cafes, and parking pay stations, and after dark in any location. Passive panhandling — sitting with a sign or asking quietly — is protected speech, following Reed v. Town of Gilbert and 3rd Circuit precedent. Pennsylvania's disorderly-conduct statute 18 Pa.C.S.A. section 5503 covers tumultuous behavior or harassment and is often charged alongside city violations. Philadelphia Police's homeless outreach team typically offers services before citing.
First-offense aggressive panhandling is a summary offense with fines up to $300 plus court costs; repeat violations can become misdemeanors under 18 Pa.C.S.A. section 5503 disorderly conduct, with fines, community service, or up to 90 days in jail.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia's Noise and Excessive Vibration Code prohibits creating vibration that exceeds 0.15 inches per second beyond any property boundary, or 30 yards ...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia restricts amplified devices in the right-of-way and on public transit, caps sirens at 128 dB beyond 10 feet, and requires home and vehicle alarm...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia caps amplified music and other sound by decibels above background at the property boundary: 3 dB near hospitals/schools/houses of worship, 5 dB ...
Philadelphia, PA
Under Philadelphia Code 12-903, the City's seasonal mechanical street-cleaning program imposes posted temporary no-parking windows between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.,...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia's Residential Permit Parking program (Code Chapter 12-2700) lets eligible residents buy annual permits that exempt their vehicles from meter and...
Philadelphia, PA
Any pool, spa, or hot tub accessory to a Philadelphia one-family dwelling must be surrounded by one of three approved barriers; the standard option is a 48-i...
See how Philadelphia's aggressive panhandling rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.