Beggars must get written permission

LACEY, Wash., March 1 (UPI) -- A town in Washington state requires panhandlers to get written permission from property owners before they can beg in parking lots.

Lacey, on Interstate 5 south of Seattle, already required verbal permission. Officials say making beggars get it in writing will end disputes, The Olympian reported.

The town has other stringent rules for panhandlers. They cannot beg at bus stops, near ATMs or within 50 feet of another panhandler and are banned from approaching people in vehicles.

Other regulations ban the use of profane language and require beggars to stay at least 3 feet away from those they approach.