Aransas Pass considers citywide solicitation rules, keeping exceptions for permitted charitable events

The Aransas Pass City Council discussed amendments to the city's solicitation ordinance after repeated complaints about people stopping at intersections and in front of downtown businesses. Staff presented a draft that originally named specific intersections but councilors argued explicit location lists might simply shift the activity elsewhere.

Council members preferred a citywide time/place/manner restriction. As one council member read from the draft, "no person can stop in the roadway, stand, sit, or remain at an intersection or crosswalk for a longer period than is necessary to traverse said intersection or crosswalk," language intended to prevent prolonged stopping that blocks visibility and draws traffic safety concerns.

Council and staff agreed to add an explicit exception for organized charitable events (for example, a school or Girl Scouts fundraiser). Those events would still require a permit, but staff recommended waiving the permit fee for qualifying charitable organizations and allowing permits to be issued at short notice (the day before) so small nonprofits can participate without an onerous process.

Chief Perkins cautioned that the ordinance must be carefully drafted to respect First Amendment protections: "It's not illegal to beg," he said, and the city can only regulate "time, place and manner" of solicitation, not the right to be present on public property. Staff said they would refine the language to focus on regulated activity (stopping/standing in intersections) rather than prohibiting presence in public areas.

Next steps: staff will redraft the ordinance to apply within city limits, include the charitable‑event permit exception and return the revised ordinance to the council for review.