Tacoma allows passive panhandling but prohibits aggressive solicitation that involves threats, blocking pedestrians, near-ATM begging, or solicitation in roadways under TMC Chapter 8 public-peace provisions.
Tacoma's public-peace ordinances under TMC Chapter 8 prohibit aggressive begging that involves intimidation, physical contact, repeated requests after a refusal, or following a person while soliciting. The code also restricts solicitation within set distances of ATMs, bus stops, and outdoor cafe seating. State law adds a separate ban on pedestrian-roadway solicitation under RCW 46.61.250 and 46.61.260, which prohibit standing in a travel lane or median to interact with motorists. First Amendment case law from the Ninth Circuit limits any blanket panhandling ban, so Tacoma targets conduct rather than speech.
Threatening or grabbing a pedestrian, soliciting next to an ATM, or stepping into a travel lane to ask drivers for money can lead to misdemeanor citations and arrest.
See how Tacoma's aggressive panhandling rules stack up against other locations.
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