Santa Rosa, CA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- City Code §§ 10-36.110, 10-36.120
- Bank/ATM buffer
- 15 feet during business hours
- Building entrance buffer
- 5 feet
- Parking lot restriction
- Banned after dark
- Adopted
- Ordinance 3502, 2000
Summary
Santa Rosa Code Section 10-36.110 outlaws panhandling in an "aggressive manner," defined to include threatening conduct, unwanted touching, blocking passage, and persisting after being told no. Chapter 10-36 also bans all panhandling near banks, ATMs, entrances and after-dark parking lots.
No person shall panhandle, ask or beg in an aggressive manner in any public place. "Aggressive manner" means any of the following: (1) Approaching or speaking to a person, or following a person before, during or after panhandling, asking or begging, if that conduct is intended or is likely to cause a reasonable person to: (a) fear bodily harm to oneself or to another, damage to or loss of property, or (b) otherwise be intimidated into giving money or other thing of value...
Full Breakdown
100 as any in-person request seeking an immediate donation of money or an item of value, expressly excluding a person who passively displays a sign without addressing a specific individual. 110 then prohibits panhandling in an "aggressive manner," spelling out six qualifying behaviors: approaching, speaking to, or following someone in a way likely to cause fear of bodily harm or property loss, or to intimidate them into giving money; intentionally touching a person or an occupied vehicle without consent; intentionally blocking or interfering with safe pedestrian or vehicle passage; using violent or threatening gestures; persistently following someone after they have said no; and using profane or abusive language likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction.
120 imposes location-based bans regardless of manner: no panhandling within 15 feet of a bank, savings and loan, credit union, check-cashing business or ATM entrance during business hours; none within 5 feet of any public building entrance or exit; none directed at the occupant of a motor vehicle; none in a public parking lot or structure after dark (defined as a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise); and none in or within 10 feet of a public transportation vehicle or stop, or in a restaurant dining area, once the person has been asked to leave and either does not go or returns within 30 days. Property owners and tenants can waive several of these zones by granting express permission.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 10-36 sets no unique penalty section, so violations of Sections 10-36.110 and 10-36.120 default to the citywide scale in Section 1-28.010: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and up to six months in County jail, or, at the City Attorney's discretion, an infraction carrying a $250 fine for a first offense and $500 for a repeat offense within a year. Each instance of panhandling in a restricted zone or manner is a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes panhandling "aggressive" under Santa Rosa's ordinance?
Can someone panhandle near an ATM in Santa Rosa?
Is silently holding a sign asking for donations illegal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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