Richmond, VA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Richmond City Code § 19-110 defines "loiter" broadly: standing, sitting, lying, parking, or gathering as a group at any public place or place open to the public while engaging in prohibited conduct. Five specific acts are banned: unreasonably hindering the free flow of pedestrians or vehicles; blocking or preventing access to an entrance; obstructing, molesting or interfering with someone in a way that would make a reasonable person fear for their safety; conduct with a direct tendency to provoke violence against the person it targets; and, on streets and highways, stopping a vehicle or loitering to engage a driver or passenger in conversation while the vehicle blocks traffic.

"Public place" covers streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks, plazas, playgrounds, school grounds and public transit facilities, and "place open to the public" reaches private businesses, shopping centers, and building lobbies and corridors. The section expressly protects lawful assembly and lawful picketing from enforcement. A companion provision, § 19-111, separately bars loitering near the premises of public or other schools for the purpose of molesting or interfering with a pupil or teacher. 00, confinement of not more than 12 months, or both.