Washington, DC Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Aggressive manner definition
- D.C. Code § 22-2301(1)(A)-(D)
- ATM buffer
- No soliciting within 10 feet of an ATM
- Vehicle solicitation
- Banned from vehicles in traffic
- Private property
- Banned without owner's or occupant's permission
- Maximum fine
- $500 per § 22-3571.01(b)(3)
- Maximum jail term
- 90 days, or community service
- First Amendment carve-out
- Protest, picketing, permitted speech exempt
Summary
Washington, D.C.'s panhandling chapter bars soliciting alms in an aggressive manner in public, at transit stops, near ATMs, from vehicles in traffic, and on private property without permission. D.C. Code § 22-2302 lists eight prohibited acts, punishable by up to $500 and 90 days in jail under § 22-2304.
(a) 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 in any public transportation vehicle; or at any bus, train, or subway station or stop. (c) No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms within 10 feet of any automatic teller machine (ATM). ... (h) No person may ask, beg, or solicit alms on private property or residential property, without permission from the owner or occupant.
Full Breakdown
C. Code § 22-2302 sets out eight separate prohibited acts under the panhandling chapter (Chapter 23 of Title 22). Subsection (a) bars asking, begging or soliciting alms "in an aggressive manner" in any place open to the general public, a term defined at § 22-2301(1) to include approaching or following someone in a way that would make a reasonable person fear bodily harm, touching another person without consent while asking for alms, continuing to ask after a negative response, or intentionally blocking someone's path. The remaining subsections prohibit solicitation regardless of manner in specific settings: on public transportation vehicles or at bus, train or subway stops (b); within 10 feet of any ATM (c); from the operator or occupant of a vehicle in traffic (d); in exchange for reserving or directing a person to a public parking space (e); in exchange for cleaning a vehicle's windows while it is in traffic (f); in exchange for protecting, watching or cleaning a parked vehicle or bicycle (g); and on private or residential property without the owner's or occupant's permission (h).
Section 22-2303 carves out a First Amendment exception: acts protected as picketing, protest or speech, and acts authorized by a District permit, are not unlawful under the chapter. 01(b)(3) caps the individual fine at $500. Section 22-2304(b) lets a court substitute or add community service under § 16-712 in lieu of that penalty, and § 22-2305 assigns prosecution to the Corporation Counsel (now the Office of the Attorney General) in the name of the District.
Violations & Fines
Violating any of the eight prohibited acts in D.C. Code § 22-2302 is punishable under § 22-2304(a) by a fine of up to $500 (per § 22-3571.01(b)(3)), up to 90 days imprisonment, or both. Courts may substitute or add community service under § 16-712 in lieu of that penalty per § 22-2304(b), and the Office of the Attorney General prosecutes cases in the District's name under § 22-2305.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as aggressive panhandling in D.C.?
Where is panhandling banned outright in D.C., regardless of manner?
Is protesting or picketing in D.C. treated as illegal panhandling?
What is the penalty for violating D.C.'s panhandling law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington
Compare Washington to another location·View the District of Columbia public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.