Kalamazoo, MI Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Chapter 22's general loitering law, formerly codified at §§ 22-53 through 22-56, was repealed in 2019, leaving the City of Kalamazoo without a broad loitering ordinance that could apply to ordinary public gathering or waiting. Two narrower, activity-tied loitering provisions survive. Section 22-37, Gambling and gambling houses, bans engaging in gambling in the City and keeping or maintaining a gambling house, and in Subsection C makes it unlawful for any person to loiter, congregate or be found in any house or other place where gambling is taking place, whether or not that person is gambling.

Separately, § 22-36B, part of the prostitution and lewdness section amended through 2004, makes it a misdemeanor for a person to walk, stroll or loiter about for lewd or immoral purposes or to entice others to commit prostitution. Both provisions tie the loitering itself to a specific illegal activity happening at the location rather than punishing mere presence or idling in public, which is the gap the 2019 repeal of the general loitering sections left. Section 22-36 also lets the City recover its police-response costs, including officer wages and processing expenses, from anyone found in violation, on top of any court-ordered fine.