Brooklyn Park, MN Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

01 splits loitering into two tiers. Petty misdemeanor conduct, division (A), covers lingering about a building's doorway, steps, window sills, railing, fence, or adjacent parking area in a way that obstructs entry or exit or annoys the owner or occupant; staying more than five minutes on a posted private business premise after closing without visibly intending to transact business; staying more than five minutes on a posted public business premise that will not open within 30 minutes; staying more than five minutes on any posted public or private non-business premise; and lingering or moving slowly without purpose on a public highway, sidewalk, parking area, or right-of-way after a warning within the prior four months from the property's owner, agent, manager, or a law enforcement officer.

Division (B) elevates the offense to a misdemeanor for failing or refusing to vacate a premises after being ordered to leave by the owner, agent, manager, or a law enforcement officer, for returning after such an order, or for repeating any division (A) act within one year of a prior conviction under division (A). Division (C) defines PREMISES broadly: any yard, lot, sidewalk, street, alley, park, restaurant, church, school, vehicle, parking lot, apartment hallway, or other location, public or private, within the City of Brooklyn Park.

The ordinance traces to the city's 1993 code (Ord. 1993-733), rooted in the 1972 code § 914:00. 99, a petty misdemeanor carries a fine of up to $300 with no jail exposure, while a misdemeanor carries up to 90 days and a $1,000 fine, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.