Boston, MA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

The prohibition targets conduct, not mere presence: 'saunter or loiter in a street' is only unlawful when it obstructs or endangers travellers, or is done in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace or incite to riot (§ 16-12.2). The Section sits inside Chapter XVI's 'Use of Streets' article, alongside neighboring rules on obstructing sidewalks (§ 16-10.2) and abusive language or street soliciting (§ 16-12.27). Because § 16-12.2 is not among the Sections separately assigned a higher fine in § 16-32.6, a violation falls under § 16-32.1(A)'s catch-all: a fine not exceeding $20 for a first offense, with every calendar day of a continuing violation counted as a separate and succeeding offense under § 16-32.1(B).

The Section expressly preserves a right that could otherwise look like loitering: peaceful persuasion protected by M.G.L. Chapter 149, Section 24 (the state's labor-picketing statute), and it disclaims any intent to narrow any other state statute. Boston Police officers, who enforce most Chapter XVI street-conduct Sections, decide case-by-case whether sauntering has crossed into obstruction or a public-safety risk; simply standing or walking slowly on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk is not itself a violation absent that showing.