Springfield, MA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- April 10, 1996
- Fine
- $50 per day
- No-solicit buffer
- 25 ft of ATMs/banks/transit
- Enforced by
- Springfield Police Department
Summary
Springfield, Massachusetts bans aggressive begging, touching, blocking, following, or cursing at people for money, plus all solicitation within 25 feet of an ATM, bank, or transit stop.
No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms, including money and other things of value, in an aggressive manner in any place open to the general public, including sidewalks, streets, alleys, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, buildings, doorways and entrances to buildings, and gasoline service stations and the grounds enclosing buildings.
B. No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms, including money and other things of value, in a false or misleading manner.
C. No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms in any public transportation vehicle or within 25 feet of any bus or train station stop.
D. No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms within 25 feet of any automatic teller machine (ATM) or bank.
E. No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms from any operator or occupant of a motor vehicle that is in traffic on a public street.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
Springfield's panhandling ordinance, adopted in 1996, doesn't ban asking for money outright: it targets specific conduct. It's unlawful to solicit alms in an 'aggressive manner,' defined to include touching someone without consent, continuing to ask after a refusal, following the person, blocking a sidewalk or driveway, or directing abusive language at them. Separately, no one may solicit in a false or misleading manner, from occupants of moving vehicles, or within 25 feet of a bus or train stop, an ATM, or a bank.
Violations & Fines
Violating the panhandling ordinance is punishable criminally by a $50 fine per day the conduct continues, or through the City's noncriminal disposition process under § 1-25 at the same $50-per-day rate, enforced by the Police Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all panhandling illegal in Springfield, MA?
What's the fine for aggressive panhandling in Springfield, MA?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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