Passive panhandling is constitutionally protected speech in Texas after Reed v. Town of Gilbert. Aggressive panhandling that touches, blocks, or threatens a person can be charged as assault under Texas Penal Code 22.01 and 22.06. Dallas County Sheriff enforces in unincorporated areas; cities adopt their own ordinances.
After Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) and Fifth Circuit decisions striking content-based panhandling bans, Texas cities in Dallas County rewrote ordinances to focus on conduct rather than speech. Texas Penal Code 22.01 (assault by threat or contact) and 42.01 (disorderly conduct) reach unwanted touching, abusive language, and obstruction. The 2017 amendments to Penal Code 22.06 codify consent and self-defense limits but do not authorize panhandling-specific bans. Dallas County itself has no countywide panhandling ordinance; the Dallas County Sheriff enforces state Penal Code in unincorporated pockets. Cities like Dallas (City Code 31-35), Irving, Garland, and Plano enforce conduct-based aggressive solicitation rules within their boundaries. The Dallas County DA prosecutes assault and disorderly conduct cases.
Aggressive solicitation involving touching, following, blocking, or threats is charged as assault under Penal Code 22.01 (Class A or C misdemeanor) or disorderly conduct under 42.01. Repeat or weapon-involved offenses can rise to aggravated assault under 22.02.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Richardson, TX
Under Sec. 5-9(6), it is unlawful to allow an animal to unreasonably bark, howl, crow, or make other loud noise unprovoked for at least 15 minutes or in spor...
Richardson, TX
Richardson Code Ch. 13, Art. III, Div. 2 prohibits unreasonably loud noise at all hours. Sec. 13-72 makes it unlawful to create noise offensive to ordinary s...
Richardson, TX
Under Sec. 13-75(9), construction noise near residential areas is unrestricted 7 AM to 6 PM weekdays. Before 7 AM, after 6 PM, and on weekends, construction ...
Richardson, TX
Junked vehicles that are wrecked, dismantled, or inoperable without current registration or safety inspection may not be kept in public view. Richardson Code...
Richardson, TX
Richardson regulates commercial vehicle parking in residential areas through its zoning ordinance and Code Enforcement. Oversized commercial vehicles and pro...
Richardson, TX
Richardson does not recognize 'dibs' or reserved parking on public streets. Residents may not block public parking spaces with cones, chairs, or other items,...
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