Hartford treats public urination and defecation as a public health and decency offense under Hartford Municipal Code chapter 27 misdemeanor provisions, with citations issued by Hartford Police and Hartford Department of Health enforcement.
Hartford Municipal Code chapter 27 covers misdemeanor public conduct offenses including public urination and defecation outside designated restroom facilities. Officers may issue infractions or arrest depending on circumstance, with fines typically ranging $50 to $250 for first offense. Repeat offenses or incidents near schools and parks can escalate to disorderly conduct charges under Connecticut General Statutes section 53a-182. Hartford has installed public restroom kiosks in select downtown locations and Bushnell Park, with operating hours posted. Establishments serving alcohol must offer restroom access to patrons under state liquor permit conditions.
Urinating outside restroom, defecating in public, exposure during act, repeat offenses, near schools or playgrounds, refusing officer instruction.
See how Hartford's public urination rules stack up against other locations.
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