Westminster, CA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

040(B) makes it unlawful for any person to loiter, or to solicit, while on a median strip within one of eight streets the code designates by name: Beach Boulevard, Magnolia Street, Brookhurst Street, Goldenwest Street, Garden Grove Boulevard, Westminster Boulevard, Bolsa Avenue and Edinger Avenue. The section defines "loiter" specifically for this purpose as lingering or remaining on the median for any reason unrelated to safely crossing the street or roadway, except in an emergency. Two exceptions apply: authorized government personnel or contractors performing lawful work such as repairing the median, adjacent roadway or a survey, and anyone holding a written city-issued permit, such as a parade, excavation or encroachment permit.

010 explain why the rule singles out medians rather than sidewalks: the affected medians measure between two-and-a-half and four feet wide, which the council found too narrow to function as a traditional public forum and which have never historically hosted activity like protests or campaigning, since their purpose is to divert traffic rather than carry pedestrians. The findings also describe why standing on a median is more hazardous than a sidewalk: a person there sits on the same side of a stopped car as the driver in a left-turn lane, closer than a sidewalk position, which the council found increases distraction and intimidation risk and contributes to accidents, congestion and delayed traffic flow. 050.