San Diego County, CA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer distance
- 300 feet from covered locations
- Who's covered
- registered sex offenders only
- Penalty
- misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 months
- Each instance
- separate offense per incident
- Area
- unincorporated county only
Summary
Registered sex offenders cannot loiter within 300 feet of schools, child care facilities, parks, playgrounds or arcades in unincorporated San Diego County when children are present, under County Code Section 32.203.
It shall be unlawful for a registered sex offender to loiter in a public or private place located in the unincorporated area of the County that is on or within 300 feet of a public or private school for children, a child care and development facility, a park, recreation facility, playground or arcade, when children are present. Each distinct and separate instance in which a registered sex offender loiters in violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
San Diego County Code Section 32.203 bars any person required to register as a sex offender from loitering in a public or private place in the unincorporated county that sits on or within 300 feet of a school, child care and development facility, park, recreation facility, playground or arcade whenever children are present. Loitering is defined in Section 32.202 as lingering with intent to commit a listed sex offense or to solicit a sexual act. Each separate instance is a distinct violation, and the ordinance exempts travel through the area and constitutionally protected activity that doesn't meet that definition.
Violations & Fines
Violating Section 32.203 is a misdemeanor under the code's general penalty clause (Section 11.116), punishable by up to $1,000 and/or six months in County Jail; each loitering incident counts separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this loitering ban apply to everyone?
What counts as loitering under the ordinance?
Does the law restrict where a registered sex offender can live?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
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