Skowhegan, ME Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Skowhegan's Loitering Ordinance is Chapter 34 of the Town's ordinances, a short document of seven sections. Section I states its purpose: to regulate the conduct of persons on public ways who are committing violations of law, enforced for the benefit of the public's good, safety and welfare. It is not a flat ban on standing around.

Section II defines loitering as remaining idle in essentially one location, and it lists the forms that takes: spending time idly, being dilatory, lingering, staying, sauntering, delaying, or standing around. It defines a public place broadly. The term covers any place the general public has access to and a right to resort to for business, entertainment or other lawful purpose, including the front or immediate area of any store, shop, restaurant, tavern or other place of business, plus public grounds, parking areas, parks, and other property under the jurisdiction of the town.

Section III is the operative rule. It applies at a public place, and also on private property within the town where the owner has given the town permission. The covered conduct is loitering, standing, or remaining idle, alone or in concert with others. The text then lists four items: obstructing any public street, highway, sidewalk, parking area or other public place or building so as to hinder or impede the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles, traffic or pedestrians; committing any violation of state law or municipal ordinance; creating a disturbance or breach of the peace; and refusing to leave when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer. The first three items are joined by the word "or" and the fourth by the word "and", so the refusal clause is printed as part of the offense. The officer must have exercised his or her discretion reasonably under the circumstances in order to preserve or promote public order.

Section IV excludes special events sponsored by a recognized non-profit agency from enforcement, provided a written request for the exception goes to the Board of Selectmen within a reasonable time before the scheduled event. The ordinance does not use the words sit or lie.