San Antonio Municipal Code Chapter 21 and Texas Penal Code Section 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct) prohibit urinating or defecating in any public place. The act is a Class C misdemeanor, and aggravated cases near minors can support enhanced charges or sex-offender screening.
Texas Penal Code Section 42.01(a)(8) makes it disorderly conduct to expose oneself in a public place in a manner reckless about offense. SAMC Chapter 21 supplements the state statute by treating public urination as a public-nuisance violation enforceable by SAPD and Metro Health. Public places include sidewalks, alleys, parking lots, parks, the River Walk, and any private property visible from a public way. Restroom use is exempt. Citations are typically Class C infractions, but officers may charge indecent exposure under Penal Code Section 21.08 when the conduct is reckless about a minor seeing it. Downtown SA outreach and Haven for Hope diverts first-time offenders toward sanitation and shelter services. Repeat or aggravated cases trigger Bexar County municipal-court warrants.
Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500 plus court costs. Reckless exposure near minors can be charged as indecent exposure under Penal Code Section 21.08, a Class B misdemeanor with up to 180 days jail and $2,000 fine.
See how San Antonio's public urination rules stack up against other locations.
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