Suffolk County, NY Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer distance
- 100 feet
- Who it covers
- Level 2 & 3 sex offenders
- Covered sites
- Playgrounds, day cares, pools, arcades, youth centers
- Penalty
- Unclassified misdemeanor, up to 1 year jail
- Scope
- County-wide
Summary
Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders may not loiter within 100 feet of any playground, day-care center, public pool, video arcade, or youth center anywhere in Suffolk County.
It shall be unlawful for any sex offender who has been given a Level 2 or Level 3 designation, pursuant to the New York Sex Offender Registration Act, to loiter within 100 feet of any playground, day-care center, public swimming pool, video arcade or youth center.
Full Breakdown
Suffolk County Code § 745-8 makes it unlawful for any registered sex offender with a Level 2 or Level 3 designation under the state Sex Offender Registration Act to loiter within 100 feet of a playground, day-care center, public swimming pool, video arcade, or youth center. The county code defines "loiter" as remaining in a place for no apparent reason or purpose. This is a county-wide criminal restriction that stacks on top of the separate quarter-mile residency ban in the same chapter: it does not apply generally to the public, only to designated high-risk offenders.
Violations & Fines
A violation is an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail (§ 745-9).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Suffolk County's loitering law apply to the general public?
How is 'loiter' defined under the county code?
Is this different from the county's sex-offender residency ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Suffolk County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Suffolk County to another location·View the New York public conduct overview
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