Littering
G.S. 14-399 — a fine of $500 or more for the first 10 pounds, and the driver presumed
No person may intentionally or recklessly throw, scatter, spill or place litter, or cause it to be blown or scattered, on public property, on private property the person does not own, or in the state's waters, except where a place is designated for it or into a receptacle that keeps the weather from carrying it off. Doing the same without intent, as when a load blows out of a truck, is a separate and lighter offense.
Who handles this in North Carolina: North Carolina Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the North Carolina directory.
From a vehicle, the driver is presumed. When litter comes from a vehicle or watercraft, its operator is presumed to have committed the offense, except a vehicle carrying nontoxic, biodegradable farm or garden products such as mulch, bark, wood chips and raw logs.
| How much | Intentional or reckless | Without intent |
|---|---|---|
| How muchUp to 10 pounds | Intentional or recklessClass 3 misdemeanor, a fine of $500 to $1,000 the first time, and 8 to 24 hours of community service possible | Without intentInfraction, a fine of up to $200 |
| How muchMore than 10, up to 500 pounds | Intentional or recklessClass 3 misdemeanor, a fine of $1,000 to $3,000 and 50 to 100 hours of community service | Without intentInfraction, a fine of up to $500 |
Larger amounts, commercial dumping and hazardous waste carry heavier grades in the same section, not set out here. Whether a particular citation fits is a question for a licensed North Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 14-399 — Littering
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.