Harrisburg, PA Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)

Chapter 3-123 of the Harrisburg Codified Ordinances governs pedestrians, and § 3-123.3 carries the jaywalking rule in its own heading. Subsection A covers controlled intersections. A pedestrian cannot leave the curb or sidewalk to cross unless a police officer directs it, the traffic signal is green or "GO" at an intersection without pedestrian signals, or the signal reads "WALK" at an intersection that has pedestrian signals. Subsection B is the mid-block rule: pedestrians cannot cross highways anywhere other than at intersections, except at the places and in the manner directed.

Neighboring sections in the same chapter fill in the picture. Section 3-123.1 tells pedestrians to move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks. Section 3-123.2 protects people already crossing: when a vehicle has stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the highway, no operator approaching from the rear can pass the stopped vehicle. Section 3-121.1 separately bars a driver from entering an intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side to accommodate the vehicle, notwithstanding any traffic control signal to proceed.

Enforcement runs through the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. Section 3-113.1 requires every person to comply with any lawful traffic order, signal or direction of a police officer, and § 3-113.2 requires compliance with the indications of any official traffic control device unless a police officer directs otherwise. The chapter's cross-references note that pedestrian rights and duties are also addressed in the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3541 et seq., but the crossing rule quoted on this page is the City's own ordinance.