Hampton, VA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered corridor
- Mercury Blvd, Big Bethel Rd to Armistead Ave
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 21-0002 (2021)
- Exempt
- Sidewalks, crosswalks, bus riders
- Exempt
- City staff, permitted events
Summary
Hampton bars pedestrians from sitting, standing, or lingering on the Mercury Boulevard right-of-way between Big Bethel Road and Armistead Avenue, with exceptions for sidewalks, bus riders, and permitted events.
No pedestrian shall sit, stand, or otherwise remain on any portion of the right-of-way of Mercury Boulevard beginning from the western side of the intersection of Mercury Boulevard and Big Bethel Road and continuing to the eastern side of the intersection of Mercury Boulevard and Armistead Avenue.(b)This section shall not apply to the following persons:(1)Any pedestrian using a sidewalk for travel or a designated crosswalk to cross the roadway;(2)Any person who is waiting at or near a bus shelter for the arrival of a bus;(3)Any public safety personnel or other city personnel or city contractor who is operating in the course of his duties; or(4)Any person participating in an event for which a special event permit has been issued pursuant to Section 2-318 of the City Code or which is exempt from that code. (Ord. No. 21-0002, 4-28-21)
State Law reference— Loitering on bridges or highway rights-of-way, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-930.
Secs. 21-189—21-200. - Reserved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Hampton City Code § 21-188, adopted by Ord. No. 21-0002 in 2021, makes it unlawful for a pedestrian to sit, stand, or otherwise remain on the right-of-way of Mercury Boulevard between Big Bethel Road and Armistead Avenue. The ban targets a single defined corridor, not the whole city. It doesn't apply to anyone using a sidewalk or crosswalk to travel through, anyone waiting near a bus shelter, public safety or city personnel and contractors on duty, or participants in a city-permitted special event. Virginia's state loitering-on-highway-rights-of-way statute, Code of Virginia § 46.2-930, underlies the city's authority to enact it.
Violations & Fines
Sitting, standing, panhandling, or otherwise remaining on the Mercury Boulevard right-of-way in the covered segment, outside the sidewalk, crosswalk, bus-shelter, city-personnel, and permitted-event exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stand on the sidewalk along Mercury Boulevard?
Does this rule apply anywhere else in Hampton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
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