Yakima, WA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

It is unlawful for anyone to loiter in or near any thoroughfare or place open to the public in a manner and under circumstances manifesting the purpose of inducing, enticing, soliciting or procuring another to commit an act of prostitution. Among the circumstances which may be considered in determining whether such purpose is manifested are: that such person is a known prostitute or panderer, repeatedly beckons to, stops or attempts to stop, or engages male passerby in conversation, or repeatedly stops or attempts to stop motor vehicle operators by hailing, waving of arms or by any other bodily gesture. No arrest shall be made for a violation of this section unless the arresting officer first affords such person an opportunity to explain such conduct, and no one shall be convicted of violating this section if it appears at trial that the explanation given was true and disclosed a lawful purpose.

B. For the purpose of this section, “known prostitute or panderer” includes, but is not limited to, a person who, within one year previous to the date of arrest for violation of this section, has within the knowledge of the arresting officer been convicted of or forfeited bail for violating any ordinance of the city of Yakima or any law of any other jurisdiction defining or punishing acts of engaging in, or offering or agreeing to engage in, sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee.

C. Loitering for the purpose of prostitution is a misdemeanor.