Lake County, FL Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Sec. 3-80 defines 'designated roadways' as the interstate system, plus arterial and collector roads or rights-of-way classified under the Lake County Comprehensive Plan, including those stretches that run through a municipality and the first 440 feet of any local road intersecting one. The rule reaches the travel lanes and medians of those roads plus four feet beyond the shoulder or curb. Sec. 3-81(b) makes it unlawful to stop, stand, or otherwise occupy a median on a designated roadway unless a person is actively and lawfully crossing; stopping or lingering through two consecutive chances to cross under the traffic signal is treated as prima facie evidence of a violation.

Sec. 3-81(c) separately bars any physical exchange between a pedestrian and a vehicle occupant, including handing over money, food, or any other product or material, while the vehicle is not legally parked and sits on the travelled portion of a designated roadway. Sec. 3-82 carves out law enforcement, fire and rescue, and other government workers or contractors doing their jobs; utility, survey, construction, inspection, maintenance or repair crews; people rendering emergency aid; anyone entering or exiting a bus or transit vehicle; and permitted special events on roads closed to traffic.

The county adopted this ordinance in 2022 as a traffic-safety measure targeting the median standing and window-to-window exchanges commonly associated with panhandling and roadside vending, rather than as a direct ban on asking for money.