Renton, WA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Loitering threshold
- 60 consecutive minutes at Transit Center
- Loitering penalty
- Civil infraction, up to $50 plus assessments
- Trespass during expulsion penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine, 90 days jail
- First expulsion
- Immediate, ordered by peace officer
- Escalated expulsion
- Up to one year after repeat violations
- Appeal window
- 7 calendar days to Chief of Police
Summary
Renton makes it a civil infraction to loiter, meaning to remain, for 60 consecutive minutes or more, within the boundaries of the downtown Transit Center. Police can expel violators immediately, and repeat violations escalate to longer expulsions and criminal trespass charges.
B. “Loitering” is remaining in the Transit Center for sixty (60) consecutive minutes or more, except any person employed by a vendor that has a contract with King County Metro for the provision of services in the Transit Center. ... 6-31-2 VIOLATIONS: A. It is unlawful to loiter at the Transit Center. Loitering at the Transit Center shall be a civil infraction.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 6197, passed August 10, 2026).
Full Breakdown
B defines loitering specifically for this chapter as remaining in the Transit Center for sixty consecutive minutes or more, excluding vendor employees under contract with King County Metro. J (bounded by South Second Street, the Piazza, and the east edges of Burnett Avenue South and Logan Avenue South). Under 6-31-3, a commissioned peace officer may order immediate expulsion for any violation; a second violation within three days draws expulsion up to seven days, and a person expelled twice in 30 days or three times in 90 days faces expulsion up to one year.
Expulsions of seven days or more can be appealed in writing to the Chief of Police within seven calendar days under 6-31-4, triggering a hearing within ten business days under 6-31-5. Entering or remaining in the Transit Center during an active expulsion period is a separate crime of trespass under 6-31-6.
Violations & Fines
A loitering infraction under 6-31-2 carries a monetary penalty of not more than $50 plus statutory assessments under 6-31-7.B, handled under the Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction. Violating an expulsion order by entering or remaining during the expulsion period is a misdemeanor under 6-31-6 and 6-31-7.D, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you wait at the Renton Transit Center before it counts as loitering?
What happens the first time someone is cited for loitering there?
Can a loitering violation lead to a longer ban from the Transit Center?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Renton
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Loitering Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle loitering rules.