Unified Public Offense Code (UPOC)

What is the  Unified Public Offense Code?

The Unified Public Offense Code (UPOC), is a document developed each year by the League of Kansas Municipalities. The League of Kansas Municipalities has published the Uniform Public Offense Code since 1980. The Uniform Public Offense Code is designed to provide a comprehensive public offense ordinance for Kansas cities. It does not take effect in a city until the governing body has passed and published an ordinance incorporating it by reference under the authority of and by the procedure prescribed by K.S.A. 12-3009 through 12-3012 and K.S.A. 12-3301 and 12-3302. All citations refer to the Kansas Statutes in effect July of the current year unless otherwise noted.

The Uniform Public Offense Code, in large part, parallels the state criminal code. Additional provisions for local regulations, if any, may be included in the incorporating ordinance. The City of Edwardsville makes amendments, edits, and deletions to the UPOC each year that make these regulations more appropriate to local conditions. 

To read the full UPOC (without edits or amendments) click HERE.

To read the City's most recent UPOC ordinance, which details changes that affect Edwardsville residents, click HERE. 

Major changes to the 2020 UPOC include more clarity around shooting inside the City limits, including for the purposes of target practice. Please reach out to the Edwardsville Police Chief to obtain the proper permission related to firearm discharge within the City limits (phone number: 913-356-6054). "Reckless" use of a firearm remains unlawful, and the term "reckless" is associated with the state definition which states:

A person acts "recklessly" or is "reckless," when such person consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that circumstances exist or that a result will follow, and such disregard constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care which a reasonable person would exercise in the situation. (K.S.A. 21-5202(j))

Other changes in the most recent UPOC update include the amendment allowing the use of air guns, bows and arrows, BB guns, or paintball guns in certain zoning districts in the City, removal of allowable defenses for distribution of obscene materials to a minor, and changes to enforcement of local health codes. If you have questions related to the UPOC, please contact Edwardsville City Hall at 913-356-6000.