San Jacinto, CA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Section 9.04.020 combines a conduct standard with fixed no-solicitation zones. The conduct standard is in subsection B: no person shall solicit, ask or beg in an aggressive manner in any public place. "Aggressive manner" has six prongs in subsection A. They are approaching, speaking to or following a person in a way intended or likely to make a reasonable person fear bodily harm or property loss or feel intimidated into giving; intentionally touching a person or an occupied vehicle without consent; intentionally blocking the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle, including forcing evasive action; violent or threatening gestures; persisting in closely following or approaching after the person has said by words or conduct that they do not want to be solicited or give money; and profane, offensive or abusive language inherently likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction.

"Solicit, ask or beg" is not limited to cash for nothing. It includes spoken, written or printed words, bodily gestures or signs used to obtain an immediate donation of money or other thing of value or to solicit the sale of goods or services. "Public place" covers any place the public or a substantial group of persons has access to, including streets, sidewalks, plazas, schools, parks, playgrounds and the lobbies and entrances of businesses.

The fixed zones apply even when the conduct is polite. Subsection C bans all solicitation inside, or within fifteen feet of any entrance or exit of, a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or check cashing business during business hours, and within fifteen feet of an automated teller machine while it is available to customers. Inside an ATM facility, no one can solicit without permission from the owner or person lawfully in possession. Lawful vending of goods and services in those areas is not prohibited.

Subsection D bars approaching the operator or occupant of a motor vehicle to solicit while the vehicle is in any parking lot or public place, and bars soliciting in any parking lot or parking structure. It does not apply to solicitations tied to business being conducted on the premises by the owner or lawful tenant, or to emergency repairs requested by the vehicle's operator or occupant. Subsection E bars solicitation in any public transportation vehicle, defined as a vehicle carrying ten or more persons including the driver, or a passenger vehicle for hire. Subsection G adds that the section does not limit enforcement of other laws.