Aggressive Panhandling.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 106-1.1
in effect106-1.1. Aggressive Panhandling.
1. DEFINITIONS. a. "Aggressive behavior" means engaging in any conduct with the intention of intimidating another person into giving away money or goods, including but not limited to, intentionally approaching, speaking to or following a person in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to fear imminent physical injury or the imminent commission of a criminal act upon the person or upon the property in the person's immediate possession; intentionally touching another person without consent; or intentionally blocking or interfering with the free passage of a person.
b. "Panhandling" means begging, soliciting, or asking for any item of value; attempting to sell or obtain compensation for an item or service for an amount that is at least twice its value, or an item or service that is already offered or available at no charge to the general public; or attempting to sell or obtain compensation for an item or service under circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the payment is in substance a donation.
2. PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the act of panhandling when either the panhandler or the person being solicited is located at any of the following locations:
a-1. At a bus stop.
a-2. In any public transportation vehicle or public transportation facility.
a-3. In a vehicle which is parked or stopped on a public street or alley.
a-4. In a sidewalk café.
a-5. Within 20 feet in any direction from an automatic teller machine or entrance to a bank.
b. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the act of aggressive panhandling at any location within the city.
3. PENALTY. Any person violating this section shall upon conviction forfeit not more than $25, or in lieu of paying the forfeiture perform community service work, in accordance with s. 800.09, Wis. Stats.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH106.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/26/2026