Saint Paul, MN Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

01, enacted by City Council File No. 06-243 in April 2006 and codified in Chapter 282 ("Begging"), replaced an older blanket begging ban with a narrower rule aimed at intimidating solicitation. The council's findings in subsection A describe aggressive solicitation as "disturbing and disruptive to residents and businesses" that "contributes to the loss of access to and enjoyment of public places and to a sense of fear, intimidation and disorder," while subsection E expressly preserves passive panhandling, sitting or standing with a sign, without any vocal request, as protected activity.

Subsection C splits the ban into two tracks. The first bars any act of solicitation, aggressive or not, at nine listed pinch-point locations: restrooms, bus and light-rail stops, crosswalks, transit vehicles, parked cars on a public street, sidewalk cafés, lines waiting to enter a business, within 20 feet of an ATM or bank entrance, in parks, within 10 feet of a gas station or liquor store, within 10 feet of a convenience store, and any property posted with a "no solicitation" sign. The second bars specific aggressive methods anywhere in the city, unwanted touching, blocking a person's or vehicle's path, following someone who has walked away, abusive or profane language meant to intimidate, approaching in a way likely to cause fear of imminent harm, soliciting while under the influence, or soliciting as part of a group of two or more.

Subsection D makes each act a separate misdemeanor violation, and subsection E is a standard severability clause protecting the rest of the ordinance if a court strikes any part.