Littering
Ala. Code § 13A-7-29 — up to $500 the first time, and $500 more for a cigarette butt
Criminal littering is knowingly leaving litter on any property or in any water without permission, throwing it on or beside a road and not picking it up, carelessly leaving glass near water where people swim or fish or on a highway, or discharging sewage, oil or litter into a river, lake or stream. A Class B misdemeanor.
Who handles this in Alabama: Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Alabama directory.
| Conviction | Penalty |
|---|---|
| ConvictionFirst | PenaltyA fine of up to $500 |
| ConvictionSecond or later | PenaltyUp to $1,000 and up to 100 hours picking up litter, or a fine of $2,000 to $3,000 |
| ConvictionCigarettes, cigars, food containers or containers of urine | PenaltyAn extra fine of up to $500 each time |
Trash with a name on it. Bank statements, utility bills or other papers in dumped trash that clearly bear a person's name create a rebuttable presumption that the person dumped it. Before a county or city files, the person gets written notice and 15 days to answer. Advertising and campaign mail do not count.
A crop in its natural state that ends up on a road unintentionally is not litter. Whether a particular charge fits is a question for a licensed Alabama attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Ala. Code § 13A-7-29 — Criminal Littering
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alabama attorney.