Santa Clara County, CA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Covers
- Highways, alleys, sidewalks, crosswalks
- Standard
- Obstructs passage or annoys/molests
- Related rule
- Blocking entrances (§ B13-6)
Summary
Loitering, standing, or sitting on a public highway, alley, sidewalk, or crosswalk that blocks or annoys passersby is unlawful in unincorporated Santa Clara County.
No person shall loiter or stand or sit in or upon any public highway, alley, sidewalk or crosswalk in the County so as to in any manner hinder or obstruct the free passage therein or thereon of persons or vehicles passing along the same or so as in any manner to annoy or molest persons passing along the same.
(Ord. No. NS-636.00, § 3, 8-7-01)
Sec. B13-6. - Obstructing entrances. No person shall loiter, stand or sit in or at the entrance to any church, hall, theater or other place of public assemblage in the County so as to in any manner obstruct such entrance.
(Ord. No. NS-636.00, § 3, 8-7-01)
Sec. B13-7. - Possession of firearms on Santa Clara Valley Water District—Prohibited. No person shall, while on or upon any lands, reservoirs or structures owned or operated by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, have in his possession or under his custody or control firearms of any kind.
(Ord. No. NS-636.00, § 3, 8-7-01)
Sec. B13-8. - Same—Exceptions. The provisions of Section B13-16 shall not apply to any peace officer, or any person employed by the County, the State, or by the United States to destroy predatory animals, birds, or pests as defined in Food and Agricultural Code § 5006, when acting in the course of his or her employment.
(Ord. No. NS-636.00, § 3, 8-7-01)
Sec. B13-9. - Same—Signs.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Santa Clara County bars loitering, standing, or sitting in or upon any public highway, alley, sidewalk, or crosswalk in a way that hinders or obstructs the free passage of people or vehicles, or that annoys or molests people passing by. A companion section separately bars loitering at the entrance to a church, hall, theater, or other place of public assembly so as to obstruct the entrance. Both sit in the county's miscellaneous-offenses chapter and apply only outside the fifteen incorporated cities.
Violations & Fines
Loitering that hinders passage or annoys or molests passersby on a county highway, sidewalk, or crosswalk is a citable offense under the county's miscellaneous-offenses chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does simply standing on a sidewalk violate this?
Does this apply in San Jose or Palo Alto?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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