Gary, IN Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Gary Municipal Code § 28-130 defines 'loiter' broadly to mean idling, standing, tarrying or remaining, alone or with others, and specifically includes sitting in a parked vehicle in a parking lot or on public grounds, as well as lying in wait to accost another person. Four categories of unlawful loitering follow in § 28-130(b): loitering in or around public buildings that obstructs corridors, rooms or stairways and blocks public access; loitering on public grounds, ways, alleys, sidewalks, streets or street corners that obstructs or impedes other members of the public after a police officer or person in charge orders the loiterer to leave; loitering on commercial premises for an unreasonable length of time without conducting business, or remaining after being told to leave by the owner, an employee or a police officer; and consuming alcoholic beverages in or around public grounds, sidewalks, streets, parking lots or commercial premises, outside of private homes and licensed premises holding a valid state alcoholic beverage permit.

A companion offense at § 28-131, disorderly assemblages, separately bars groups from gathering in a way that obstructs a place or creates a serious annoyance through threats, loud noise or abusive conduct, and failing to disband when ordered to by police or the property's owner.