La Grange, MO Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Section 215.237, Obstructing Public Places, makes it unlawful for any person to stand or remain idle either alone or in consort with others in a public place in such manner so as to obstruct a public street, highway, sidewalk or other public place or building by hindering or impeding the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles, traffic or pedestrians. The same subsection also bars committing any act that interferes with property use or lawfully conducted business fronting on a public way, and separately bars obstructing the entrance to a business establishment without lawful purpose and against the wishes of the owner, lessee or person in charge.

Subsection A defines public place broadly: any place to which the general public has access and a right of resort for business, entertainment or other lawful purpose, including the front or immediate area of a store, shop, restaurant or tavern and public grounds, areas or parks. Subsection C gives officers a specific enforcement tool: when someone causes any of these conditions, a Police Officer or other Law Enforcement Officer must order that person to stop and to move on or disperse, and failing or refusing to obey that order is itself a separate violation of the section.

Because Section 215.237 states no penalty of its own, a violation, including a refusal to move on, is punished under Article III's general penalty, Section 100.220.