Prescott Valley, AZ Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Section 10-01-170 of the Prescott Valley Town Code, Prohibited Solicitation, was enacted by Ordinance No. 2024-944 on October 24, 2024. Subsection A reaches anyone who solicits money or other items of value, or solicits the sale of goods or services. Solicit is defined as using any means of communication, spoken, written or printed, to request an immediate donation or exchange of money or other thing of value, regardless of the solicitor's purpose.

There are two zones of conduct. First, solicitation within fifteen feet of any bank entrance or exit, or any automated teller machine, is unlawful when the person lacks permission from the bank or the property owner. Bank means a bank, credit union or other similar financial institution. Second, in a public area, solicitation is unlawful when done by making physical contact without consent; approaching or following in a way intended or likely to cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm or property loss, or likely to intimidate the person into saying yes; continuing after the person clearly asks the solicitation to stop; obstructing safe or free passage or forcing evasive action; or using obscene or abusive language or gestures. The obstruction paragraph does not apply to acts authorized as an exercise of the constitutional right to picket or protest.

Subparagraph (A)(2)(f) bars soliciting any operator of a motor vehicle that is in traffic or stopped at a traffic control device or stop sign on a public street, whether or not the person is offering to clean windows or reserve a parking space. Emergency repairs requested by the operator or passenger are carved out. Public area covers sidewalks, streets, parking lots, parks, plazas, driveways and building entrances open to the general public.