Guidance on Limiting Access to Publicly Accessible Areas

Public bodies are sometimes faced with significant challenges when members of the general public attempt to access certain areas of their facilities. While public spaces are typically intended to be open and accessible to the general public, such openness can sometimes lead to disruptive behavior and safety concerns. To complicate matters further, as public institutions, units of local government are subject to certain constitutional limitations when restricting access to their facilities. Public bodies must carefully craft their policies so as to maintain the security and safety of their facilities while also avoiding any constitutional violations.