Minnetonka, MN Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Section 1020 of the Minnetonka City Code bundles several loitering offenses. Section 1020.005 bars lurking, loitering, or prowling in any place, at a time or in a manner not usual for law abiding individuals, under circumstances that warrant alarm for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity. Circumstances the code names include taking flight upon the appearance of a police officer, refusing to identify oneself, or endeavoring to conceal oneself or an object. An officer can stop and briefly detain a person only if the behavior reasonably causes suspicion of criminal activity, based on objective, articulable facts and reasonable inferences from all the circumstances.

Before any arrest, unless flight or other circumstances make it impracticable, the officer must give the person a chance to dispel the alarm by asking the person to identify themselves and explain their presence and conduct. Identification can be a state-issued identification card or driver's license with a photograph, an employer-issued photo identification card, a currently valid passport, a certified copy of a birth certificate, or verification by another person who can establish their own identity by one of those documents. An explanation is sufficient if it shows the person was engaging in, and planning to continue engaging in, lawful activity consistent with the circumstances.

A person cannot be convicted if no officer offered that opportunity, or if the finder-of-fact decides the officer should have accepted the explanation. Section 1020.010 separately bars lurking, loitering, prowling, lying in wait, or being concealed with intent to commit any act prohibited by law, in any public or private place. Section 1020.020 bars loitering, standing, sitting, or lying for longer than 10 minutes where a sign prohibiting loitering is posted. Section 1045.040(4) adds that a person must not loiter on any school ground or in any school building or structure.