Albany, OR Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Albany's Chapter 7.68 is titled Obstruction of Passageways, and § 7.68.010 is the ordinance that covers people gathering in the public way in the City of Albany, Oregon. Subsection (1) bars any person from obstructing, causing to be obstructed, or assisting in obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic on any sidewalk or street, except as otherwise permitted by ordinance. Subsection (2) makes it unlawful to fail or refuse to disperse when lawfully ordered to do so by any police officer. The section does not use the word loitering. The code lists § 7.08.030, Loitering, as repealed by Ord. 5779, so the obstruction and dispersal language is the rule that applies to adults standing in the public way.

The rest of § 7.68.010 covers related sidewalk conduct. Delivery of merchandise or equipment is carved out, but nobody can leave it on a street or sidewalk for storage or display without a permit (3). Selling, storing, or displaying merchandise or equipment on a street or sidewalk needs a special event permit or road closure permit (4). Depositing earth or other debris is barred (5). A structure on or over a public street or sidewalk needs an encroachment, special event, or road closure permit (6). A cellar door or grate in a sidewalk cannot stay open except while the entrance is in use, and then only with safeguards for pedestrians (7).

Juveniles face separate rules. Section 7.12.060 makes it unlawful for a juvenile not accompanied by a parent or lawful guardian to enter or loiter in premises where obscene material is sold or displayed, where an obscene performance is exhibited, or where the signs required by § 7.12.061 are posted. Chapter 7.44 bars a child under 18 from any street, alley, park, or other public place during the curfew hours unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or a companion aged 21 or more chosen by the parent, or going to or from work, night school, or school activities. Section 7.44.110 sets the hours at 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and midnight on Friday and Saturday, running to 5:30 a.m. the next morning. Under § 7.44.120 an officer takes a minor to the police station and notifies the parent or guardian.