Texas City, TX Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Section 115.076 is the city's rule on asking motorists for money, work or rides. Division (A) bars standing in a roadway or adjacent median to solicit a ride, contribution, employment or business from an occupant of a vehicle. The one exception is for a charitable contribution, and only if authorized by the city according to Tex. Transportation Code § 552.0071. Division (B) defines the MEDIAN as the inner grassy or paved area that divides a roadway, and it does not include the sidewalks on the outer edge of the roadway.

Division (C) provides that the sale of newspapers in accordance with the right of freedom of the press is not impaired. The charitable exception connects to Chapter 115's permit rules. It is unlawful to solicit funds or gifts for any purpose within the city without first receiving a permit from the Police Chief's designee, though membership organizations can solicit their own members (§ 115.070). Applicants submit a sworn statement giving the organization's name and address, the officers of its governing board, the amount to be solicited, the anticipated net proceeds and the officials of the organization for whose support the permit is asked (§ 115.071).

The Police Chief's designee grants or refuses the permit, that decision is final except that appeal can be taken to the City Commission, and each application is kept on file and open to inspection (§ 115.072). Permits last no more than 30 days but can be renewed, are personal to the permittee, and can be revoked at any time for violating the code, state law or a city rule, or for any other good cause shown (§§ 115.073 to 115.075). At residences, a posted no solicitation sign also bars ringing or knocking for charitable solicitation (§ 115.002).