The current North Carolina anti-litter law, General Statute § 14-399 (2001-2002), includes both fines and community service time for both intentional and unintentional littering. The text below is only a sample excerpt - please view the law in its entirety for a better understanding of the law and the penalties for intentional and unintentional littering in the link below.

§ 14-399. Littering. (a1) No person, including any firm, organization, private corporation, or governing body, agents, or employees of any municipal corporation shall scatter, spill, or place or cause to be blown, scattered, spilled, or placed or otherwise dispose of any litter upon any public property or private property not owned by the person within this State or in the waters of this State including any public highway, public park, lake, river, ocean, beach, campground, forestland, recreational area, trailer park, highway, road, street, or alley...

(c1) Any person who violates subsection (a1) of this section in an amount not exceeding 15 pounds is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00). In addition, the court may require the violator to perform community service of not less than four hours nor more than 12 hours. The community service required shall be to pick up litter if feasible, and if not feasible, to perform other labor commensurate with the offense committed. Any second or subsequent violation of subsection (a1) of this section in an amount not exceeding 15 pounds within three years after the date of a prior violation is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00). In addition, the court may require the violator to perform community service of not less than eight hours nor more than 24 hours. The community service required shall be to pick up litter if feasible, and if not feasible, to perform other labor commensurate with the offense committed. For purposes of this subsection, the term "litter" shall not include nontoxic and biodegradable agricultural or garden products or supplies, including mulch, tree bark, and wood chips....

Click here to view Session Law 2001-512, Senate Bill 1014, G.S. § 14-399 Littering Sections 1-14 (2001-2002) reads as rewritten.

Click here to view G.S.§ 7A-148 Annual Conference of Chief District Court Judges.

Click here to view G.S.§ 7A-273(2) and G.S.§ 7A-273(2a) Powers of Magistrates in infractions or criminal actions.

Click here to view litter offenses in which a court appearance may be waived by first time offenders effective on or after December 1. - Traffic Offenses For Which Court Appearance Is Mandatory and Traffic Offenses For Which Court Appearance May Be Waived; click on Form "01 Traffic" to open the pdf file and scroll down to second page to view items 41 and 42.

Click here to view litter offenses in which court appearance may be waived by first time offenders effective on or after December 1. - ABC Offenses For Which Court Appearance May Be Waived; click on Form "02 ABC" to open the pdf file and scroll down to view items 24 and 25.

Click here for the North Carolina General Assembly home page.