Yucaipa, CA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

The Yucaipa City Council added the median rules in 2023 through Ordinance 424, inside Chapter 12.06, the aggressive solicitation chapter. Section 12.06.090(F) lists three separate bans on any median in the City of Yucaipa: lingering, loitering, and soliciting. The Council’s findings describe the chapter as reasonable time, place and manner restrictions.

The definitions in Section 12.06.070 decide what counts. A median is a paved or planted area of public right-of-way that divides a street or highway according to the direction of travel. To loiter on a median means standing or lingering there for any purpose other than to safely and lawfully cross the street. To linger means remaining in a median longer than two traffic signal cycles. Both definitions exclude an emergency, and both exclude a median specifically designated for pedestrians or equestrians. Crossing is protected, but waiting in the median for a ride or a friend is not crossing.

Section 12.06.090 also bans soliciting at other places: within 25 feet of a financial institution entrance or exit during business hours, within 25 feet of an ATM while it is available to customers, in a public parking lot or structure after dark, within 200 feet of a posted public transportation stop, from a stopped vehicle at a gas station, fuel pump or electric vehicle charger, from a vehicle within 50 feet of a driveway to a shopping center or business, at dining establishments, and in public restrooms. After dark means one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.

Minors face a separate loitering rule. Section 9.08.010 makes it a misdemeanor for anyone under eighteen to loiter on public streets, sidewalks, parks or public places between ten p.m. and sunrise unless with a parent or guardian having custody, or a spouse over twenty-one. Section 9.08.018 lists defenses, and an officer must ask the minor’s age and reason for being out before citing.