Alexandria, VA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- City Code Sec. 13-1-24
- Penalty
- Class 3 misdemeanor, up to $500 fine
- Core rule
- Must disperse when asked, or blocking passage
- Sleeping curfew
- Parks/squares/sidewalks, 8 p.m.-8 a.m. banned
- Enforced by
- Alexandria Police Department
Summary
Alexandria makes it unlawful to stand, assemble or loiter on a sidewalk, street or public way so as to block passage, and requires the group to disperse when asked by a property owner or police officer. The same section bans sleeping in a public park, square or sidewalk area between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Violations are a class 3 misdemeanor under City Code Sec. 13-1-24.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to stand, assemble or loiter upon any sidewalk, street, public ground or public way in the city so as to obstruct, hinder or impede free passage upon or along same or obstruct, hinder or impede free ingress or egress to and from any place of business, institution or public building or property. No person or persons so assembled shall refuse or neglect to move or depart or give free passage after being requested to do so by the owner, lessee, tenant, manager or occupant of the premises obstructed as aforesaid or upon the order of any police officer of the city.... (f)It shall be unlawful for any person to sleep in any public park, public square or public sidewalk area between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.... (g)Any person convicted of violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 156 | Zoning: Supplement 103).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 13-1-24(a) bars standing, assembling or loitering on any sidewalk, street, public ground or public way so as to obstruct, hinder or impede free passage, or to obstruct ingress or egress to a business, institution or public building, and requires the group to move or disperse once asked by the owner, lessee, tenant, manager or occupant of the obstructed premises, or by any police officer. Related subsections extend the loitering ban to hiding or waiting near a private residence to watch occupants (b), loitering in a public restroom for a lewd or unlawful purpose (c), lodging in any building or structure without the owner's permission (d), and remaining in a restaurant, tavern or public building after being asked to leave by the owner or an officer (e).
, a rule frequently applied downtown and around Market Square. Subsection (g) sets the penalty: any violation of the section is a class 3 misdemeanor, punishable under City Code Sec. 1-1-8(c) by a fine of not more than $500 with no jail exposure. The section traces to the 1963 Code and was last amended in 1985 (Ord. No. 3017).
Violations & Fines
Any violation of Sec. 13-1-24, including refusing to disperse after a lawful order or sleeping in a public park between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., is a class 3 misdemeanor capped at a $500 fine under Sec. 1-1-8(c). Alexandria police officers issue the citation on the spot after the required request to move or leave has gone unheeded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal just to stand on a sidewalk with friends?
Can someone sleep on a bench in a city park overnight?
What is the penalty for a loitering conviction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alexandria
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