Broward County, FL Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Core offense
- Loitering/prowling causing reasonable alarm
- Officer duty
- Must ask you to identify, explain first
- School buffer
- No loitering within 500 feet of schools
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 60 days jail
Summary
Broward County makes it a crime to loiter or prowl anywhere in a manner that causes reasonable alarm for the safety of people or property, with due-process protections before arrest.
It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter or prowl in a place, at a time or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals, under circumstances that warrant a justifiable and reasonable alarm or immediate concern for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity.
Among the circumstances which may be considered in determining whether such alarm or immediate concern is warranted is the fact that the person takes flight upon appearance of a law enforcement officer, refuses to identify himself, or manifestly endeavors to conceal himself or any object. Unless flight by the person or other circumstance makes it impracticable, a law enforcement officer shall, prior to any arrest for an offense under this section, afford the person an opportunity to dispel any alarm or immediate concern which would otherwise be warranted by requesting him to identify himself and explain his presence and conduct.
No person shall be convicted of an offense under this section if the law enforcement officer did not comply with this procedure or if it appears at trial that the explanation given by the person is true and, if believed by the officer at the time, would have dispelled the alarm or immediate concern.
(Ord. No. 83-3, § 2, 1-21-83)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Section 21-107 of the county code bans loitering or prowling "in a place, at a time or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals" when the circumstances create justifiable alarm for the safety of people or property nearby. Flight from police, refusal to identify oneself, or concealment can support that alarm, but before arresting anyone a law enforcement officer must first ask the person to identify themselves and explain their presence -- and no conviction stands if that explanation, believed at the time, would have dispelled the concern. A related section bars loitering within 500 feet of any school. Violators face up to a $500 fine, 60 days in jail, or both.
Violations & Fines
Violation is a misdemeanor prosecuted in the state's name, punishable by up to a $500 fine, up to 60 days in county jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be arrested just for standing around at night in Broward County?
Does the loitering law apply if I'm not doing anything else illegal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida public conduct overview
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