Pottstown, PA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 301, Chapter 6 Part 3
- Adopted
- Ordinance 1410, 12/11/1978
- Standard
- Begging that disturbs peace or annoys residents
- Maximum fine
- $600 plus costs (§ 304)
- Jail alternative
- Up to 30 days if unpaid
Summary
Pottstown has no ordinance targeting 'aggressive' panhandling specifically; instead, Borough Code § 301 folds begging into its general disorderly conduct ban, prohibiting 'loafing, begging' and similar activity whenever it disturbs the peace or annoys residents, with fines up to $600 and 30 days in jail under § 304.
Disorderly conduct within the meaning of this Part shall be and is hereby defined as any act, work or conduct causing or tending to cause a disturbance of the peace and good order of the Borough, or causing or tending to cause any danger, discomfort or annoyance to the inhabitants of the Borough and/or users of the Borough thoroughfares, and shall include loafing, begging, profanity, and the carrying on of any business, trade, transportation, recreation or amusement at a time, in a place or in a manner which causes danger and annoyance to the inhabitants of the Borough, and all such disturbances and acts are hereby prohibited. ... Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5012545; v22 updated 2026-07-13; through 07-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
Pottstown's Code of Ordinances does not contain a stand-alone panhandling or solicitation law with defined elements like following a pedestrian, blocking a sidewalk, or approaching someone at an ATM or bus stop, the features that many 'aggressive panhandling' ordinances spell out. What it has instead is Chapter 6, Part 3, § 301, Disorderly Conduct Defined and Prohibited, a broad catch-all first adopted in 1978. ' Read plainly, that means begging in Pottstown is not banned outright, but begging that rises to a disturbance of the peace, or that causes danger, discomfort or annoyance to residents or people using Borough streets, is chargeable as disorderly conduct.
Section 302 lists other conduct the Borough treats the same way, including loud animals, unreasonable amplified sound, late-night deliveries, and malicious daytime loitering or prowling around a dwelling, showing that § 301's begging language sits inside a general nuisance-style conduct code rather than a solicitation-specific statute.
Violations & Fines
A person cited for disorderly conduct, including begging that disturbs the peace or annoys residents under § 301, faces a fine of up to $600 plus costs under § 304, or, if the fine and costs go unpaid, up to 30 days in jail. Each day a violation continues is charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pottstown have an aggressive panhandling law?
Is all begging illegal in Pottstown?
What is the penalty for a disorderly conduct charge involving begging?
What other conduct is grouped with begging under this section?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pottstown
Compare Pottstown to another location·View the Pennsylvania public conduct overview
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