SOLICITATION AND PANHANDLING

Oxford Code of Ordinances ch. 82, art. II

in effect

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 82-14 Legislative intent and findings.

Sec. 82-14. - Legislative intent and findings. (a) The Board of Aldermen of the City of Oxford finds and declares that: (1) The city has a significant interest in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens, visitors, and businesses while preserving the rights of individuals to express themselves and request charitable assistance in a lawful manner. (2) The regulation of panhandling through a permit process serves to: a. Prevent obstruction of sidewalks, entrances, and public spaces; b. Avoid interference with or impede the ingress or egress of pedestrian and/or vehicle traffic; c. Protect residents and visitors from aggressive solicitation; d. Preserve the quiet enjoyment of public areas and business districts; e. Ensure transparency and consistency in the use of public spaces. (3) This chapter is adopted in accordance with applicable state law and with careful consideration of First Amendment protections. The permitting process outlined herein is content-neutral, does not discriminate based on the identity of the speaker or their message, and is narrowly tailored to serve the city's substantial governmental interests. (4) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to prohibit peaceful solicitation or expression in public spaces outside of the time, place, and manner restrictions reasonably imposed by this policy. (Ord. No. 2025-8, § II, 8-19-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 82-15 Purpose.

Sec. 82-15. - Purpose. In accordance with state law effective July 1, 2025, and in the interest of public safety, order, and the equitable use of public spaces, this section establishes permit requirements for panhandling in the City of Oxford. This policy is content-neutral and intended to balance constitutionally protected individual rights with the city's responsibility to maintain the safety, cleanliness, and accessibility of public areas. (Ord. No. 2025-8, § II, 8-19-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 82-16 Definitions.

Sec. 82-16. - Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: Designated public area means locations identified by the city where panhandling is permitted and deemed not to obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, interfere with commercial activity, or otherwise pose public safety concerns. Panhandling means any solicitation made in person, whether spoken, unspoken, written, or by gesture, requesting an immediate donation of money or other thing of value. Permit holder means a person who has applied for and received written approval from the city to panhandle at a designated time and location. Solicitation or solicit means to request money or anything of value as a donation or contribution while standing, sitting or positioned in any manner on any road, street, highway median, traffic island or highway intersection; or to request any other thing of value in exchange for any goods, wares, merchandise or thing of values while standing, sitting or positioned in any manner on any road, street, highway median, traffic island or highway intersection. (Ord. No. 2025-8, § II, 8-19-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 82-17 Permit required.

Sec. 82-17. - Permit required. (1) No person shall panhandle in public spaces within the City of Oxford without first obtaining a permit from the city in accordance with this policy. (2) The city clerk, in consultation with the chief of police or their designee, shall receive and process applications for panhandling permits. (Ord. No. 2025-8, § II, 8-19-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 82-18 Application procedure.

Sec. 82-18. - Application procedure. (1) A completed application for a panhandling permit shall be submitted to the city clerk's office at least seven calendar days prior to the date of the intended panhandling activity. (2) The application shall include: - Applicant's full legal name and contact information; - Requested date(s) and location(s); - Any prior panhandling permit history within the past 60 days; - Signed acknowledgment of rules and conditions under this section; - Pay the $25.00 application/permit fee for each calendar day requested. (Ord. No. 2025-8, § II, 8-19-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 82-19 Permit conditions and limitations.

Sec. 82-19. - Permit conditions and limitations. (1) A permit shall be valid for no more than three consecutive days at the same location. Following any three-day period, the same individual may not reapply for that location for at least two full calendar days. (2) The permit holder shall: (a) Carry a copy of the permit at all times while engaging in panhandling; (b) Remain within the approved location and within 100 feet from the intersection approved under the permit; (c) Not obstruct or impede traffic on sidewalks, roadways, entrances, or driveways: 1. Only enter or remain in a roadway, street or thoroughfare only while the controlling traffic signal prohibits vehicular movement; (d) Not panhandle within 100 feet of: 1. Any ATM or financial institution; 2. A place of worship during active services; 3. Any public or private school property during school hours; (e) Not engage in aggressive or threatening conduct, as separately defined by city ordinance: 1. No person shall persist after solicitation has been denied, act in a demanding or harassing manner, or use any sound or voice-amplifying apparatus or device(s); (f) Permits will allow panhandling only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and one hour before sunset. (3) Permits shall not be issued for locations or timeframes in conflict with a previously approved special event, public assembly, or parade. (Ord. No. 2025-8, § II, 8-19-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 82-20 Denial, suspension, or revocation of permit.

Sec. 82-20. - Denial, suspension, or revocation of permit. (1) A permit may be denied, suspended, or revoked for: - Incomplete or false information on the application; - Violation of the terms of this policy or any city ordinance; - Safety or traffic concerns; - Interference with other permitted uses of public space. (2) An applicant whose permit is denied or revoked shall have the right to appeal the denial to the board of alderman. They should submit a written appeal to the chief of police and a copy to the city clerk, within five business days. The Board of Alderman shall act upon the appeal at the next scheduled meeting following receipt of the notice of appeal. (Ord. No. 2025-8, § II, 8-19-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 82-21 Enforcement.

Sec. 82-21. - Enforcement. This section shall be enforced by the Oxford Police Department. Violations of this section may result in the issuance of a citation, revocation of a permit, or other penalties provided by law. (Ord. No. 2025-8, § II, 8-19-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 82-22 Penalty.

Sec. 82-22. - Penalty. Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction, be punished as set forth in section 1-8 of this Code. Each time that an offense or violation of this article occurs shall be deemed a separate offense. (Ord. No. 2025-8, § II, 8-19-2025)

Source: City of Oxford, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/oxford/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH82PESOPA_ARTIISOPAFetched: 11/1/2026