Loudoun County, VA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

01 of the Codified Ordinances defines "loiter" broadly: standing around, remaining, or parking a vehicle at a public place or place open to the public while engaging in prohibited conduct, or gathering as part of a group doing the same. "Public place" covers streets, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, public buildings, parking lots and vacant lots, while "place open to the public" reaches privately owned businesses, parking lots and institutions the public is invited into, including elevators, lobbies and halls of stores, offices and apartment buildings. Subsection (b) makes it unlawful to loiter in a manner that interferes with, impedes or hinders free passage of pedestrian or vehicular traffic; harasses, curses, threatens or physically harms another person or their property; or, by words or conduct, makes clear there is a present danger of a breach of the peace or disorderly conduct.

Subsection (c) separately criminalizes loitering and then failing to move on or disperse when directed by a law-enforcement officer, and subsection (d) requires a person at a public place to identify themselves to an officer when public safety requires it. Subsection (e) expressly protects lawful assembly and lawful picketing from the ordinance's reach, and case law prompted the County to keep the standard tied to specific conduct (interference, threats, breach of peace) rather than an officer's unguided discretion.