Hillsborough County, FL Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Sec. 38-24(6)
- Scope
- County parks and park property only
- State standard incorporated
- F.S. § 856.021
- Applies to
- Playgrounds, restrooms, parking areas, wooded areas
Summary
Hillsborough County bans loitering or prowling in any county park, including playgrounds, restrooms, and parking areas, under Sec. 38-24(6).
Loitering or prowling. No person shall loiter or prowl in or around any parks, park property or park areas including, but not limited to, playgrounds, play equipment, restrooms, dressing rooms, bathhouses, picnic shelter areas, parking areas, wooded or natural undeveloped areas. Such loitering and prowling behavior shall be interpreted in accordance with F.S. § 856.021.
(7) Lewd and lascivious behavior. No person shall engage in or participate in any lewd and lascivious behavior while in the parks or on park property. The term "lewd and lascivious" behavior shall have the meanings set forth in F.S. Chs. 798 and 800.
(8) Use of restrooms or facilities designated for the opposite sex. No person over the age of six shall occupy or enter any restroom, dressing room, bathhouse, or other park structure or facility which is reserved or designated by the Department for the exclusive use of the opposite sex.
(9) Vandalism. No person shall willfully mark, deface, damage, injure in any way, displace, remove or tamper with any objects, structures or equipment located in the
Supp. No. 1 CD38:13 § 38-24 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, LAWS, PART A, GENERAL ORDINANCES
parks or on park property, including, but not limited to, any buildings, facilities, signs,
Full Breakdown
County ordinance Sec. 38-24(6) makes it unlawful to loiter or prowl in or around any park, park property, or park area: explicitly naming playgrounds, play equipment, restrooms, dressing rooms, bathhouses, picnic shelters, parking areas, and wooded or natural undeveloped areas. The ordinance directs that loitering and prowling be interpreted per Florida's loitering and prowling statute, F.S. § 856.021, which requires conduct in a place, at a time, or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals under circumstances warranting alarm for public safety. This applies only within county park property, not general public streets or sidewalks.
Violations & Fines
Violation is enforced under the Parks and Recreation article's general penalty provisions for prohibited activities; park rangers and law enforcement may issue citations or make arrests consistent with F.S. § 856.021's warning-and-explanation requirement before charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this loitering ban apply on regular county streets?
What makes loitering illegal under this rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsborough County
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