Broome County, NY Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Where it applies
- County parks and county buildings and grounds
- Governing sections
- § 281-3(H) parks, § 222-4(J) buildings
- Maximum fine
- Up to $500
- Maximum jail term
- Up to 30 days
- Additional sanction
- Discretionary ban from the property
Summary
Broome County bans loitering in or near toilets and restroom facilities on county property under Parks and Recreation Code § 281-3(H), with an identical prohibition for county buildings and grounds in § 222-4(J). County security, park rangers and law enforcement can ticket violators for a fine of up to $500 or 30 days in jail.
H. Loitering. (1) No person shall loiter in or near toilets or restroom facilities within the park.
Full Breakdown
Section 281-3(H) of the Broome County Code states plainly: 'No person shall loiter in or near toilets or restroom facilities within the park.' The same rule appears word for word for county office buildings and grounds at § 222-4(J). Both provisions sit inside broader chapters, Chapter 281 (Parks and Recreation Areas) and Chapter 222 (County Property, Use Of), that set out conduct rules for anyone entering county-controlled property, including bans on disorderly conduct, harassment, public lewdness, unlawful assembly, weapons, drugs, camping and unauthorized fires.
The parks chapter applies to Broome County's park system under § 281-1; the property chapter applies to county-owned or leased buildings and grounds under § 222-1. Neither chapter defines 'loiter' further, so the prohibition covers remaining in or near a restroom without using it for its intended purpose, consistent with how the section sits alongside the disorderly-conduct and public-lewdness provisions in the same chapters.
Enforcement power under both chapters is shared: the Commissioner (for parks) or the County Executive, Commissioner or Administrator (for buildings and grounds), plus County security officers, park rangers, animal control officers, and local, county or state police, may all issue appearance tickets for a violation.
Violations & Fines
Loitering in or near a restroom on county park or building property is a violation under § 281-5 (parks) or § 222-5(A) (buildings and grounds), punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both. The Commissioner or County Executive can additionally ban a violator from the property for a specified period, separate from any court penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Broome County's loitering ban apply?
What's the penalty for loitering near a Broome County park restroom?
Who enforces the loitering rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broome County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Broome County to another location·View the New York public conduct overview
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