Garland, TX Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

30 as a public park, public or private school, sporting facility catering to minors, playground, children's amusement arcade, day-care center, or similar place, or within 500 feet of one, at any time a minor is present. Subsection (B) lists six affirmative defenses: the offender already maintains a permanent residence or is incarcerated within 500 feet of the area and stays on those premises; the offender is the parent or guardian of the child present and no court order restricts contact; the offender is enrolled in the school that is the prohibited area; the offender had prior written permission from a person in authority; the offender was in active transit by motor vehicle between two legitimate destinations; or the offender is a minor.

35 adds further defenses where the area became prohibited only after the offender's residence was established and registration compliance continues, or where the sex offender database listing is incorrect. 30(4) includes a police officer with respect to public property, meaning officers may directly order an offender to leave. The article was adopted by Ordinance 6190 in 2008 and last amended by Ordinance 7117 in 2020.