Sacramento County, CA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- § 9.82.020, Sacramento County Code
- No-cruising curfew
- 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Enforcement
- Peace officer discretion, § 9.82.030
- Penalty
- Infraction first, misdemeanor if repeated
Summary
Sacramento County prohibits loitering that breaches the peace, disturbs others, blocks pedestrian or vehicle traffic, or continues on private property after being told to leave.
No person shall loiter in such a manner as to:
a. Create or cause to be created a danger of a breach of the peace.
b. Create or cause to be created any disturbance or annoyance to the comfort and repose of any person.
c. Obstruct the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles.
d. Remain upon any business premises after its business hours, without the consent of the owner or legal occupant.
e. Remain upon any private property without the consent of the owner or legal occupant.
f. Remain upon any business premises or private property after having been asked to leave by the owner or legal occupant.
g. Remain on any property in the proximity of any posted no-cruising zone between the hours of 6:00 p.m. of one day and 6:00 a.m. of the next day. (SCC 549 § 1, 1983; SCC 587 § 2, 1984; SCC 0751 § 2, 1988)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 9.82.020 bans loitering that creates a danger of breach of the peace, causes disturbance or annoyance, obstructs pedestrian or vehicle traffic, or continues on business or private premises after the owner asks the person to leave. A separate provision bars loitering near a posted no-cruising zone between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Under § 9.82.030, a peace officer who reasonably judges a person's presence is causing or likely to cause these conditions may issue a citation. A first offense is an infraction; a repeat violation or refusal to leave after being cited is a misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of § 9.82.020 is an infraction; a second violation, or refusing to leave after being cited, is a misdemeanor under § 9.82.050.
Frequently Asked Questions
What behavior counts as illegal loitering in Sacramento County?
Can a minor be cited for loitering in a no-cruising zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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