Everett, MA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Section 13-16 of the Everett Revised Ordinances, titled No Loitering Public Property, School Safety Zones, applies in the City of Everett, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Subsection (a) defines loitering as remaining idle in essentially one location, including spending time idly, to linger, to stay, to delay, to stand around, and the colloquial expression hanging around. A public place is any place the general public has access to and a right to use for business, entertainment or other lawful purpose, including the front or surrounding area of any store, shop, restaurant, tavern or other place of business, all public parking facilities, and public grounds, areas or parks.

Subsection (b) makes it unlawful to loiter, alone or with others, in a public place in a way that obstructs any public street, highway, sidewalk or other public place or building by hindering, disrupting or impeding the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles, traffic or pedestrians. It also bars acts that interfere with the free use of property or any lawfully conducted business facing or fronting on those places, or that block ingress and egress. When that happens, a police officer or other law enforcement officer must order the person to stop and to move on or disperse, and refusing the order is a violation. Each violation draws a fine under Section 1-8, and each successive day continued is a separate offense.

Subsections (c) through (f) create School Safety Zones to protect students attending Everett Public Schools. The zones cover sidewalks around Everett High School, Albert N. Parlin School, Lafayette School, Madeline English School, Sumner Whittier School, Webster School, George Keverian School and Pope John XXIII High School. The City Services Department determines the signage. Between 7:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, a person without right or without a legitimate school purpose who remains in a zone after being forbidden, by posted notice or by the Chief of Police or a designee, is in willful violation.