Pasco, WA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

010 makes it unlawful to loiter or prowl in a place, at a time, or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals under circumstances that either manifest intent to commit an act violating Title 9 or that warrant alarm for the safety of persons or property nearby. 020 lists example circumstances relevant to determining unlawful purpose, such as fleeing at the appearance of a police officer, refusing to identify oneself, or trying to conceal oneself or an object, while making clear these examples are not exclusive.

Two due-process safeguards follow. 030 requires that, unless flight or other circumstances make it impractical, an officer must give the person an opportunity to dispel the alarm by asking them to identify themselves and explain their presence and conduct before making any arrest under the chapter. 040 then bars conviction if the officer skipped that step, or if trial testimony shows the explanation the person gave was true and disclosed a lawful purpose. The chapter dates to Ord. 2559 (1985), refined by Ord. 2703 (1988) and Ord.

36 numbering. This structure means Pasco's loitering law is built around an officer-identification exchange rather than an outright presence ban, distinguishing lawful late-night pedestrians from someone whose conduct and evasiveness together suggest an intent to commit a crime.