Richardson, TX Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Section 13-53 targets two distinct forms of panhandling. First, subsection (b) makes it an offense to conduct a solicitation by coercion, a term subsection (a)(2) defines to include approaching or speaking to someone in a manner that would make a reasonable person believe they face imminent bodily injury or a crime against their person or property, persisting after the person solicited has given a negative response, blocking the person's path individually or as part of a group, or engaging in conduct reasonably construed as compelling the person to comply.

Second, subsection (c) bans any solicitation, coercive or not, within 25 feet of six specific locations: an automated teller machine, the entrance or exit of a bank, credit union or similar financial institution, an exterior public pay telephone, a self-service car wash, a self-service fuel pump, or a marked public transportation stop. Subsection (d) fixes how the 25 feet is measured: a straight line, ignoring intervening structures, from where the solicitation occurs to the nearest entrance, exit, machine or transit-stop marking. 'Solicitation' itself is defined broadly in subsection (a)(7) to cover asking, begging, soliciting or pleading, orally or in writing, for contributions, alms, charity or anything of value for oneself or someone else.

A related but separate provision, section 13-54, bars soliciting or seeking contributions inside a hotel, private office building, restaurant, private parking lot, retail establishment or public building without the owner's or manager's written consent in hand.