Redding, CA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Redding Municipal Code § 10.18.020
- Obstruction ban
- No blocking sidewalks, streets or building entrances
- Park-specific ban
- No loitering to harass, drink, or let a minor smoke
- First offense fine
- Up to $100 infraction (§ 10.18.030)
- Third offense
- Misdemeanor within 5 years of first violation
Summary
Redding Municipal Code § 10.18.020 bans loitering or standing on any street, sidewalk or building entrance in a way that blocks pedestrians, and separately bans loitering in parks or public areas to harass someone, drink without a permit, or let a minor smoke. Violators face escalating fines under § 10.18.030.
A.No person shall loiter or stand in or upon any public highway, alley, crosswalk, street or sidewalk or other place open for pedestrian travel or otherwise occupy any portion thereof in such a manner as to obstruct or unreasonably interfere with the free passage of pedestrians or as to obstruct or unreasonably interfere with the normal use of the entrance to any building, business, house of worship, medical or health facility, hall, theater, moving picture theater, or place of public assemblage.B.No person shall loiter, stand in, or otherwise occupy any portion of a public park or other public property or a public highway, alley, crosswalk, street, sidewalk, or other place open for pedestrian travel as follows:1.In such a manner as to intimidate or harass, physically or verbally, any other person;2.For the purpose of consuming alcoholic beverages without a permit issued pursuant to Chapter 10.20 or Chapter 11.44; or3.For the purpose of smoking if the person is a minor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 48).
Full Breakdown
18, Prohibited Activities in Public Areas, splits the loitering ban into two subsections. Subsection (A) targets obstruction: no one may loiter or stand on a public highway, alley, crosswalk, street, sidewalk or other pedestrian area in a way that blocks the free passage of pedestrians or interferes with the entrance to a building, business, house of worship, medical facility, hall or theater. 44 (special events), or smoking if the loiterer is a minor. 010: anyone told by a peace officer to disperse from a street or sidewalk must comply.
18 penalty clause covers all of them together rather than section by section. 44 special-event permit process, an officer investigating a loitering complaint in a park will also check whether the person holds one of those permits before citing.
Violations & Fines
Redding Municipal Code § 10.18.030 punishes a first violation of § 10.18.010 or § 10.18.020 as an infraction with a fine up to $100. A second violation of the same section within one year raises the fine to $200. A third violation of the same section within five years of the first becomes a misdemeanor rather than an infraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to just stand around on a Redding sidewalk?
Can police make me leave a Redding street corner?
What loitering is banned specifically in Redding parks?
What is the penalty for a repeat loitering violation in Redding?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redding
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