| Seattle has strict rules about where you can
sit in public, and how you can beg. It is important to be familiar with
these rules, or ordinances, and to know your rights. When dealing with the
police, it is always best to cooperate; if they make a mistake, you can
fight it in court later.
You may not sit on a public sidewalk (this includes sitting on something on the sidewalk) in downtown and in neighborhood commercial areas: for example, Broadway, the Ave., etc, between 7AM and 9PM. If you violate the ordinance, a police officer will first give you a notice of the violation and ask you to sign the notice. If you refuse to sign the notice, you may be charged with a misdemeanor. If you are later found to be violating the ordinance, then you will be fined $50. If you continue getting fines and do not pay, you potentially could be arrested. There are exceptions to this rule: medical emergencies, wheelchairs, sidewalk cafes, parades, rallies, demonstrations, performances or meetings with valid permits, chairs or benches provided by a public agency or the closest private property owner. Seats in bus zones are also okay for sitting. |
In addition, Seattle has a law against
pedestrian interference. You cannot intentionally obstruct cars,
other vehicles or pedestrians. This means you cannot intentionally block
an alley, bridge, sidewalks, streets, or entrances to buildings.
If you are begging, "spanging" or panhandling, be careful about how you ask for money. Seattle has an ordinance against aggressive panhandling. What does this mean? It means that you cannot intend to intimidate another person into giving you money. Intimidate means doing that which would make a reasonable person scared or fell like he or she was forced to give you money. This is considered pedestrian interference, as well. |
| This publication provides general information concerning your rights and responsibilities. It is not intended as a substitute for specific legal advice. This information is current as of the date of its printing, May, 1998. |