Conduct on Federal Property — Rules for Federal Buildings, Grounds & Facilities

Every time you enter a federal courthouse, Social Security office, VA hospital, federal office building, or any other federally owned or leased facility in the United States, you are subject to a body of federal regulations governing your conduct on that property. 6 CFR Part 139 — Conduct on Federal Property — is the Department of Homeland Security's comprehensive rulebook establishing what you can and cannot do on federal grounds, what security requirements apply, and what penalties follow violations. The rules are enforced by the Federal Protective Service (FPS) and contract security personnel, and violations carry criminal penalties: fines under Title 18, removal from the property, and up to 30 days imprisonment for violations of Subpart B. The rule was significantly updated in 2025–2026 to reflect modern security environments including unmanned aircraft, personal transportation devices, and expanded definitions of camping and prohibited conduct.

Current Rule (2026)

What This Rule Does

6 CFR Part 139 establishes the behavioral ground rules for everyone who enters or uses federal property — employees, contractors, visitors, vendors, and the general public. "Federal property" is broadly defined: it includes any building, structure, or land owned, occupied, or secured by the federal government under DHS protection, including both federally owned buildings and leased space regularly used by federal employees. Military installations, postal service facilities, and properties outside the United States are excluded — they have separate rules — but the rule covers virtually every federal civilian building you might visit, from federal courthouses to Social Security Administration offices to national monuments.

The rule creates two enforcement tiers. Subpart A (§§139.1–139.15) establishes the administrative framework — the Federal Protective Service's authority, its ability to charge agencies for protective services, and definitions for the key terms that run throughout the rule. Subpart B (§§139.20–139.85) sets the behavioral standards that directly govern everyone on federal property — from screening requirements at entry to firearm prohibitions to camping rules to photography restrictions.

Enforcement is carried out by Federal Protective Service personnel (uniformed federal officers with full law enforcement authority) and by Protective Security Officers (PSOs) — contract security guards who conduct screenings, enforce entry rules, and report violations. FPS employs approximately 1,300 federal officers but relies on roughly 13,000 contract guards at any given time. The Facility Security Committee at each building — a body of senior officials from the agencies occupying the building — makes local decisions about which security measures to implement within the Part 139 framework.

The rule has been updated significantly in 2025–2026, with amendments in 90 FR 24218 (2025) and 91 FR 5665 (2026) expanding definitions and tightening prohibitions in several areas, including unmanned aircraft systems, personal transportation devices, and conduct that endangers federal property or personnel.

Key Provisions

• § 139.5 — Scope: applies to all federal property under DHS Secretary's protection and everyone present; extends to nearby areas when conduct at those locations directly affects federal property or its occupants
• § 139.10 — FPS assessments: DHS Secretary may charge federal agencies for protective services the FPS provides — creating a direct cost incentive for agencies to cooperate with security requirements
• § 139.15 — Definitions: critical terms include "camping" (using federal property as a place to live — shown by sleeping, storing belongings, making fires, using vehicles for sleep, or cooking); "dangerous weapon" (anything that can cause death or serious injury, except a pocketknife with blade under 2.5 inches); "secure area" (marked locations requiring screening); "federal facility" (owned or leased buildings regularly used by federal employees for nonmilitary work)
• § 139.20 — Admissions and inspections: security personnel may require anyone seeking entry into a secure area to submit to screening of themselves, their belongings, and their vehicles; screening checks for firearms, explosives, and dangerous weapons; if you refuse or obstruct screening, you can be denied entry, removed from the property, or subject to law enforcement action; once an inspection begins, it continues until complete
• § 139.25 — Preservation: no littering, damaging, or removing federal property; no creating hazards; no climbing on statues, fountains, buildings, trees, or plants without permission; no using vehicles or personal transportation devices (bikes, scooters, skateboards) outside designated areas without authorization
• § 139.30 — Signs and directions: you must follow all official signs and obey lawful directions from security personnel — including directions to leave or to move to a particular area
• § 139.35 — Prohibited conduct: broad prohibition against any conduct that harms, threatens, or endangers federal property or the people on it — including offsite conduct that targets or threatens federal facilities; harassment, intimidation, or physical interference with federal employees is prohibited
• § 139.40 — Gambling: no gambling on federal property — no games of chance for money or other value, no lottery tickets sold, no gambling machines
• § 139.45 — Narcotics and drugs: no possession, use, or being under the influence of controlled substances on federal property; operating a vehicle on federal property while impaired is also prohibited; the rule follows federal controlled substance definitions, meaning substances legal under state law may still be prohibited on federal property
• § 139.50 — Alcohol: no drinking, no open containers, no being visibly under the influence on federal property; no operating a vehicle while impaired
• § 139.55 — Soliciting, vending, and debt collection: you may not solicit donations, hawk goods, or attempt to collect debts on federal property without authorization; exceptions exist for authorized tenant organizations, federal employee convenience stores in approved locations, and vendors with formal permits
• § 139.60 — Posting and distributing materials: attaching flyers, handbills, or pamphlets to federal buildings, vehicles, or fixtures without authorization is prohibited; distributing printed materials is also subject to applicable rules — the government cannot ban expressive activity in public areas of federal property but can impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions
• § 139.65 — Photography and recording: prohibited if doing so violates a security rule, order, directive, or federal law; no blanket prohibition on photography in public areas of federal property — but security-sensitive areas, screening checkpoints, and specific classified or restricted facilities may prohibit photography by signage or security directive; audio recording prohibited in the same circumstances
• § 139.70 — Vehicle operation: valid driver's license required; all traffic signals and directions from security personnel must be obeyed; vehicles may be removed at the owner's expense if parked without authorization or in violation of security requirements
• § 139.75 — Firearms, dangerous weapons, and explosives: prohibited on federal property unless specifically authorized (law enforcement officers carrying in their official capacity are the primary exception); concealed carry permits issued by states do not authorize firearms on federal property covered by this rule; explosive devices and precursors are prohibited
• § 139.80 — Animals: prohibited on federal property except (1) for official purposes; (2) service animals for people with disabilities; on domestic military bases, Family Support and Youth organizations may have additional rules; animals brought for official purposes (K9 units, etc.) are exempt
• § 139.85 — Penalties: violations of Subpart B are criminal offenses punishable by fines under 18 U.S.C., imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both; security personnel may also remove anyone from federal property for violations; the criminal penalty applies even to minor violations like littering

How It Affects You

If you visit a federal building (courthouse, SSA office, VA facility, federal agency): You will likely encounter a secure entry with screening similar to an airport checkpoint. You must present yourself and your belongings for screening — you cannot opt out if you want to enter the secure area. You are legally prohibited from bringing firearms (even with a concealed carry permit), large knives, explosives, and other weapons. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited. Your phone, laptop, and camera are generally allowed, but specific buildings may restrict photography inside — follow posted signs and directions from security officers. If you are asked to leave for any reason by FPS or contract security, you must comply or face criminal charges.

If you work at a federal facility (federal employee or contractor): Your agency has established a Facility Security Committee that sets the specific security requirements for your building within the Part 139 framework. Your building may have stricter rules than the baseline — additional screening zones, visitor escort requirements, or photography restrictions. As an employee, you are generally permitted to bring your service animal. You cannot solicit coworkers for personal charitable campaigns (only the CFC is authorized — see Combined Federal Campaign); personal vendor sales in common areas require facility management approval.

If you want to demonstrate, leaflet, or engage in expressive activity on federal grounds: The First Amendment protects expressive activity in traditional public forums, but federal property rules allow reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. Outdoor plazas and sidewalks adjacent to federal buildings are typically traditional public forums where leafleting and peaceful demonstration are protected. The interior of federal buildings is not a traditional public forum — expressive activity there is more restricted. Federal regulations cannot ban protected speech, but can require permits for organized demonstrations, set locations, and limit noise levels. The prohibition on blocking entrances (§139.35) and obstructing federal employees is absolute. Contact the General Services Administration (GSA) or the building manager to understand permitting requirements for your specific location.

If you fly a drone near a federal building: The prohibition on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) applies on federal property and extends to airspace around it; this overlaps with FAA no-fly zones around many federal facilities. Operating a drone to photograph or survey a federal building without authorization is a federal violation under both this Part and FAA regulations. FPS has authority to take action against UAS operations that threaten federal facilities.

Statutory Authority

This rule implements:

• 40 U.S.C. § 586 — Federal Property and Administrative Services Act: authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish rules and regulations governing conduct on federal property under DHS protection
• 6 U.S.C. § 203 — DHS Reorganization Plan: transferred the Federal Protective Service and its authority over federal civilian building security from the General Services Administration to DHS

Recent Rulemakings

• 91 FR 5665 (2026) — Updated definitions and prohibited conduct provisions; expanded coverage of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) on federal property; refined the definition of "camping" to address encampments on federal grounds
• 90 FR 24218 (2025) — Significant update expanding definitions of personal transportation devices, updating the prohibited weapons list, and revising security screening provisions; also addressed new types of recording technology and their treatment under §139.65

Recent Developments

• Drone and unmanned aircraft system rules (2026): The January 2026 rulemaking (91 FR 5665) expanded Part 102 to explicitly cover unmanned aircraft systems on federal property, addressing gaps in the prior framework as recreational and commercial drone use has proliferated. The updated rules establish where drones may and may not operate over federal buildings and grounds, permit requirements for authorized commercial or news operations, and the authority of federal security personnel to address unauthorized drone flights.
• Homeless encampments on federal property: GSA and other agencies managing federal grounds in urban areas have faced persistent challenges with individuals establishing encampments on federal lands — particularly around federal buildings, parks, and open spaces. The 2026 rule update clarifying the definition of "camping" in §102-74 responds to judicial decisions that had constrained agency authority to remove encampments. Encampment enforcement remains sensitive given constitutional considerations about Fourth Amendment protections and access to services.
• Recording technology and First Amendment issues: The proliferation of smartphone cameras and livestreaming has created recurring tensions between Part 102-74's recording restrictions and First Amendment protections for newsgathering and public accountability. Courts have generally held that recording visible government activity in public areas is constitutionally protected, limiting the scope of § 102-74.420's application in public-facing areas. The 2025 rule update clarified how recording provisions apply to different zones of federal property.
• Protest and demonstration permits: Part 102-74 permits for assemblies and demonstrations on federal grounds (Subchapter C, §§ 102-74.400–420) have seen increased use and dispute. Permit requirements, content-neutral time/place/manner restrictions, and the treatment of counter-demonstrations continue to generate litigation. GSA's permit process for major federal plazas (Federal Triangle in D.C., Foley Square in New York) has been challenged for its fee structure and advance-notice requirements.

Pending Action

The 2026 drone/UAS rulemaking (91 FR 5665) is the most recent change to Part 102-74. Implementation guidance from GSA clarifying how the new UAS rules apply to specific federal property types (open federal plazas versus secure building perimeters) is expected in 2026. Ongoing First Amendment litigation involving permit requirements for demonstrations on federal property may produce court orders requiring Part 102-74 revisions to time/place/manner requirements. Federal agencies managing high-traffic public-facing properties should monitor GSA's Part 102-74 regulatory agenda for updates affecting public access, recording rights, and demonstration permit procedures.