Puyallup, WA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- PMC § 9.20.215
- First-offense penalty
- Civil infraction, fine up to $250
- Repeat-offense penalty
- Misdemeanor after 2 priors: up to $1,000/90 days
- Definition
- Begging with intent to intimidate
- Adopted
- Ordinance 2840, 2005
Summary
Puyallup makes it pedestrian interference to aggressively beg, meaning begging with intent to intimidate someone into giving money or goods, in any public place. A first violation is a civil infraction up to $250; a third becomes a misdemeanor.
A person is guilty of pedestrian interference if, in a public place, he or she intentionally: (a) Obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic; or (b) Aggressively begs. ... "Aggressively beg" means to beg with the intent to intimidate another person into giving money or goods. "B ... eg" means to ask for money or goods as a charity, whether by words, bodily gestures, signs, or other means. " ... Intimidate" means to engage in conduct which would make a reasonable person fearful or feel compelled. ... A violation of this section shall be a civil infraction and shall be subject to a fine of up to $250.00, plus statutory assessments.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4985225; v6 updated 2026-07-21; through 07-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
215(1) makes a person guilty of pedestrian interference if, in a public place, they intentionally obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or aggressively beg. Subsection (2) defines "aggressively beg" as begging with the intent to intimidate another person into giving money or goods, "beg" as asking for money or goods as a charity by words, bodily gestures, signs or other means, and "intimidate" as engaging in conduct that would make a reasonable person fearful or feel compelled. "Public place" is defined broadly to include alleys, bridges, buildings, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, sidewalks, trails and streets open to the general public, including establishments serving food or drink or providing entertainment, and the doorways and entrances of public buildings and their grounds. 040. The section was adopted by Ordinance 2840 in 2005.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of PMC § 9.20.215 is a civil infraction under subsection (3), carrying a fine of up to $250 plus statutory assessments, with a default community-service option of $100 if the person cannot pay. Under subsection (4), a violation becomes a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail, once the offender has at least two prior violations of the section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as aggressive begging under Puyallup's code?
What is the penalty for aggressive begging in Puyallup?
Does Puyallup's panhandling ordinance cover ordinary, non-aggressive begging?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Puyallup
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