Public Conduct in Greensboro, NC (2026)
5 verified public conduct rules for Greensboro, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Greensboro repealed its dedicated panhandling ordinance (former § 13-201) in 2018 and now regulates aggressive solicitation through two general rules: § 18-46.1 restricts solicitation only inside city parking garages and lots, and § 18-46.2 bans following or cornering someone in any public space to intimidate them after they've said no.
Greensboro Public-Space Harassment Ban
Light RestrictionsGreensboro City Code §§ 18-46.1, 18-46.2
(a) Solicitation permitted. Solicitation, where not otherwise prohibited herein or by State law, is allowed in the public spaces of Greensboro....(c) Offense. A person is guilty of harassment in a public space if the person: (1) Knowingly and intentionally performs either of the following with no legitimate purpose: i. Following an individual in or about a public space with the intent of threat...
Public Urination
Urinating or defecating in any public place, street, sidewalk, alley, right-of-way, public building, or on private property in Greensboro is unlawful under City Code § 18-45, unless done in a designated restroom. The only defense on private property is the owner's written permission; violators face a class 3 misdemeanor with a fine of up to $50.
Greensboro Public Urination and Defecation Ban
Heavy RestrictionsGreensboro City Code § 18-45
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate on any public place, sidewalk, street, alleyway or right-of-way, or in any public building except in designated water closets or toilet facilities, or on any private property. Having the written permission of the owner or person in lawful possession shall constitute an affirmative defense to the charge or urinating or defecating on ...
Skateboarding Rules
Riding a skateboard, roller skates or non-motorized scooter on any Greensboro street, on municipal building or parking-facility grounds, or on central business district sidewalks is unlawful under Sec. 16-222, which also singles out the South Elm Street sidewalks between McGee Street and West Gate City Boulevard, with a $25.00 infraction penalty.
Greensboro Skateboard and Scooter Riding Limits
Some RestrictionsGreensboro City Code § 16-222
It shall be unlawful for any person riding on a skateboard, roller skates or non-motorized scooter to ride any of such devices on any street, on the premises of the municipal building or of any municipal parking facility, or to ride any of such devices on any sidewalk located in the central business district of the city. In addition, it shall be unlawful for any person riding on a skateboard, r...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Greensboro bans smoking in a defined list of enclosed public places, elevators, museums, libraries, theatres, large retail stores, city buildings and city or transit vehicles, under City Code § 10-6. The rule stops at the building line: it does not restrict smoking in parks, sidewalks, or other outdoor public spaces.
Greensboro Public Place Smoking Ban
Some RestrictionsGreensboro City Code § 10-6
(a) Generally. No person shall smoke or carry a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or match or use any spark, flame or fire-producing device in any of the following places: (1) Elevators, regardless of capacity, for use by the general public. (2) Public areas of museums, art galleries, public libraries, natural science center, and indoor public recreational centers... (4) Retail stores designed and...
Public Alcohol Use
Greensboro bans possessing an open container of malt beverages or unfortified wine, or consuming either, on any public street, sidewalk, or city-owned property. City Code § 4-7 carries narrow exceptions for vehicle occupants, licensed sidewalk cafes, pedal-car tours, and the downtown social district. Violators face a class 3 misdemeanor with a $50 fine under G.S. § 14-4, enforced citywide by Greensboro police.
Greensboro Open Container and Public Alcohol Law
Significant RestrictionsGreensboro, NC Code of Ordinances § 4-7
(a)Except as provided by this chapter, it shall be unlawful to possess an open container of, or to consume a malt beverage or unfortified wine, on any public street, sidewalk or any property owned, occupied, or controlled by the city. Exception: Subsection (a) does not apply to an occupant of a motor vehicle while on a public street, when served at sidewalk cafes permitted in accordance with ch...
Looking for Guilford County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Greensboro city rules.
Public Conduct in Guilford County →