Definitions.
Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 30-430
in effect§ 30-430. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(a) "Beg," "begging" or"panhandling" shall be synonymous and shall mean soliciting money or objects of value, with the intention that the money or object be transferred at that time, and at that place. "Solicit" or "Soliciting" shall include using the spoken, written, or printed word, bodily gestures, signs, or other means of uninvited communication with the purpose of obtaining an immediate donation of money or other thing of value the same as begging or panhandling and also include the offer to immediately exchange and/or sell any goods or services.
(b) "Aggressive manner," "aggressive behavior," or "aggressively" as related to soliciting, begging and panhandling shall mean:
(1) approaching or speaking to a person, or following a person before, during or after soliciting if that conduct is intended or is likely to cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm to oneself or to another, or damage to or loss of property or otherwise to be intimidated into giving money or other thing of value;
(2) continuing to solicit from a person after the person has given a negative response to such soliciting;
(3) intentionally touching or causing physical contact with another person without that person's consent in the course of soliciting;
(4) intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle by any means, including unreasonably causing a pedestrian or vehicle operator to take evasive action to avoid physical contact;
(5) using violent or threatening language and/or gestures toward a person solicited which are likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction from the person being solicited;
(6) following the person being solicited, with the intent of asking that person for money or other things of value;
(7) speaking in a volume unreasonably loud under the circumstances;
(8) soliciting money from anyone who is waiting in line for tickets, for entry to a building or for any other purpose;
(9) soliciting in a manner with conduct, words or gestures intended or likely to cause a reasonable person to fear immediate bodily harm, danger or damage to or loss of property or otherwise be intimidated into giving money or any other thing of value;
(10) begging in a group of two or more persons in an intimidating fashion;
(11) soliciting any person within 20 feet of any outdoor seating area of any cafe, restaurant or other business, automated teller machine, public toilet or pay telephone;
(12) soliciting, begging or panhandling of persons within 50 feet of any mass transportation stop, including but not limited to any school bus stop.
(13) soliciting, begging, or panhandling within 50 feet from any land owned by a public or private school and used in whole or in part for providing education services to elementary age children;
(14) soliciting any person in public after dark, which shall mean the time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.
(15) soliciting, begging or panhandling of minors less than 16 years of age.
(c) "Automated teller machine" shall mean a device, linked to a financial institution's account records, which is able to carry out transactions, including, but not limited to: account transfers, deposits, cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and mortgage and loan payments which are made available to banking customers.
(d) "Public place" shall mean a place to which a governmental entity has title, to which the public or a substantial group of persons has access, including, but not limited to: any street, highway, sidewalk, walkway, parking lot, plaza, transportation facility, school, place of amusement, park, or playground.
(Ord. No. 22655, § 3, 2-8-05; Ord. No. 25359, § 2, 4-5-16)
Source: City of Oklahoma City, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/oklahoma_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=OKMUCO2020_CH30MIPROF_ARTXVOFAGPU_DIV2AGPA_S30-430DEFetched: 10/28/2026