St. Louis prohibits aggressive panhandling — touching, blocking, threatening language, or solicitation near ATMs and bus stops — while leaving passive sign-holding protected under the First Amendment.
Title VII of the Revised Code targets aggressive solicitation rather than panhandling itself. Prohibited conduct includes touching the person solicited, blocking their path, following after refusal, using threatening language, or soliciting within set distances of ATMs, bank entrances, outdoor cafes, gas pumps, and bus or MetroLink platforms. After Reed v. Town of Gilbert and the 8th Circuit's content-neutrality rulings, the city revised the ordinance so passive sign-holding remains protected speech. SLMPD typically issues warnings before citations and refers individuals to outreach teams from BJC and Bi-State homeless services.
Touching, threatening, or blocking a person solicited, or panhandling within prohibited distances of ATMs and transit stops, can trigger a municipal ordinance violation and a fine up to $500.
See how St. Louis's aggressive panhandling rules stack up against other locations.
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