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Leon County, FL Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Sec. 11-122, Article V Game Rooms
Scope
In or about a licensed game room only
Prohibited effect
Blocking passage or interfering with others
Operator duty
Manager may not permit the loitering
Max penalty
$500 fine or 60 days jail (Sec. 1-9)

Summary

Leon County makes it unlawful to loiter in or about a game room in the unincorporated county in a way that blocks pedestrian or vehicle passage or interferes with anyone lawfully present. Sec. 11-122 covers businesses whose primary purpose is offering coin-operated game machines like pinball and video games, and it also binds the operator, who cannot permit that loitering to occur.

City-specific rules exist: Tallahassee has its own loitering rules rules that differ from Leon County's county-level regulations. If you live in Tallahassee, check the city-specific page instead.

It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter in or about a game room or for any person operating a game room to permit loitering in or about a game room in such a manner as to: (1) Obstruct the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles. (2) Obstruct, molest or interfere with any person lawfully in any public place.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12).

Full Breakdown

Article V, adopted from Code 1980 § 14-64(a), defines a game room in Sec. 11-119 as any commercial establishment, public place, building or room whose primary purpose is making game machines, coin-operated pinball, video games and similar devices, available to the public. ' Sec. 11-122 splits the prohibition in two: a person may not loiter in or about a game room, and separately whoever owns, operates or manages the game room may not permit that loitering, when either obstructs the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles, or obstructs, molests or interferes with anyone lawfully in a public place.

The same premises are also subject to hours restrictions for minors: Sec. m. m. Sec. 11-120(b) separately declares any violation of the article a public nuisance that may be abated by any person. Leon County's Code of Laws has no broader, freestanding loitering ordinance outside this game-room context; these are the only 'loiter' provisions in the code.

Violations & Fines

Sec. 11-120(a) punishes any violation of Article V under the county's general penalty, Sec. 1-9: a fine up to $500.00, up to 60 days in jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense. Sec. 11-120(b) additionally lets any person seek abatement of the loitering as a public nuisance, independent of criminal enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Leon County's loitering law apply anywhere in the unincorporated county?
No. The only loitering prohibition in the county's Code of Laws is Sec. 11-122, and it is limited to conduct in or about a game room, a business whose primary purpose is offering coin-operated game machines. There is no freestanding, general public loitering ordinance elsewhere in the code.
What counts as loitering under this section?
Sec. 11-119 defines loitering as remaining idle in essentially one location, including spending time idly, loafing, walking about aimlessly, or what the code calls 'hanging around.' Sec. 11-122 only makes that unlawful when it blocks pedestrian or vehicle passage, or obstructs or interferes with someone lawfully present.
Can the game room's manager be cited, not just the person loitering?
Yes. Sec. 11-122 separately bars any person operating a game room from permitting loitering that obstructs passage or interferes with others, so an operator who lets patrons block the entrance faces the same violation as the patrons themselves.
What happens if someone violates the loitering rule?
Sec. 11-120(a) applies the county's general penalty, Sec. 1-9: up to a $500.00 fine, up to 60 days in jail, or both. Sec. 11-120(b) also declares the violation a public nuisance, letting any person pursue abatement separately from a criminal citation.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Leon County

All Leon County rules

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