Woodland, CA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Section 9.56.080 defines 'solicit, ask or beg' as using spoken, written or printed words, gestures or other means to get an immediate donation of money or a thing of value, or to sell goods or services, in any 'public place' (streets, sidewalks, parking lots, transit facilities, parks and the common areas of businesses, apartment houses and hotels). Subsection B bans soliciting in an 'aggressive manner,' defined to include approaching, speaking to, or following a person in a way likely to make a reasonable person fear bodily harm or property loss, or to intimidate them into giving money; touching a person or an occupied vehicle without consent while soliciting; blocking or interfering with safe passage; using violent or threatening gestures; persisting after being told no; or using profane or abusive language likely to provoke violence.

Subsection C bans all solicitation, aggressive or not, within 15 feet of any bank, savings and loan, credit union, check-cashing business, or ATM during operating hours; of a parked vehicle's occupant on any street, median, parking lot or structure, or within 15 feet of a lot's vehicle entrance or exit; inside any public transportation vehicle; and inside a restaurant or within 20 feet of its entrance if the person stays after being told to leave. Exemptions cover lawfully parked vehicles, sidewalks more than 15 feet from a lot entrance, permitted special events under Chapter 12.40, and government transit vehicles. A violation is a misdemeanor under subsection D, punished per the continuing-violation penalty in § 1.08.070.