Chicopee, MA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Two sections of Chapter 278 of the Code of the City of Chicopee, adopted by the Chicopee City Council on 6-3-2025 as Ord. No. 25-25, deal with loitering at doorways and blocking access to businesses. Section 278-3(B) makes it unlawful for any person to loiter or to stand or sit in or at the entrance of any church, hall, theater or place of public assemblage so as in any manner to obstruct such entrance. The wording is broad on the place, since it lists a church, a hall, a theater and then any place of public assemblage, and narrow on the conduct: the loitering, standing or sitting has to obstruct the entrance.

Section 278-5 is aimed at deliberate blocking. It says no person shall block, impede or obstruct any public place, or any entrance, exit or approach to any place of business in or upon any public place, in a manner calculated to or with the intent to prevent, delay, hinder or interfere with the free passage of another person. The protected people are listed: anyone entering, occupying or leaving a place of business, anyone performing a service or labor, anyone seeking or obtaining employment, and anyone purchasing, selling, using, delivering, transporting or receiving goods, wares, merchandise, services, entertainment, accommodations or articles. The same protection reaches a vehicle or conveyance operated by or in the custody of such a person, or in which that person is riding or attempting to ride.

Section 278-3(A), covered on the sit-lie page, handles loitering on the sidewalk itself. Enforcement under § 278-6 belongs to the Superintendent of Public Works, the Chicopee Police Department and the Building, Health and Fire Departments, or their designees, each with authority to issue citations. Chapter 278 also contains § 278-2, which bars acting as a lookout for a gambling game, house of prostitution or other illegal act.