§ 2-21-103. Solicitation in or along roadways in the county; penalties.

(a)

Prohibited activities. It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit from an occupant of a vehicle, or to receive goods, properties, services, or monies as a result of such a solicitation, while said person is upon, or within fifteen (15) feet of the edge of, a public road. Where a building, wall, solid privacy fence, or other similar permanent structure is at or within fifteen (15) feet of the edge of any public road, any person soliciting from an occupant of a vehicle or receiving goods, properties, services, or monies as a result of such a solicitation must at all times maintain the maximum possible distance from the edge of the public road as such structure will allow; however, the soliciting person may not come within five (5) feet of the edge of the public road in any such circumstance.

(b)

Definitions. As used in this section, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(1)

Public road shall include all roads within the county designated as public roads pursuant to Section 335.01, Florida Statutes, as may be amended, which includes all roads open and available for use by the public and dedicated to the public use according to law or by prescription. Such public roads shall include the surface paved or maintained for vehicular travel along with any curb or median associated with such roads.

(2)

Solicit and solicitation shall include attempts, whether verbal or through other means of communication, to obtain contributions or to sell any good, property, or service for any purpose, including panhandling.

(3)

Person is defined as a natural person.

(c)

Enforcement and violations. The sheriff and other law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce this section. The violation of any provision of this section shall be punishable upon conviction by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed sixty (60) days or by both such fine and imprisonment, as provided in Section 125.69, Florida Statutes. Each violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense. When the circumstances warrant, a sentence to community service is encouraged in lieu of jail or fines.

(Ord. No. 12-022, § 2, 4-24-12)