Public Conduct in DeKalb County, GA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Public Urination
It is a straight misdemeanor in unincorporated DeKalb County to urinate or defecate on or near any street or sidewalk, in a public building's halls, elevators or stairways, or anywhere on property open to public view, with no exceptions written into the ordinance itself.
DeKalb County Public Urination and Defecation Ban
Heavy RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 16-51
It shall be unlawful for any person to defecate or urinate on or adjacent to any street or sidewalk, or in the halls, elevators, stairways, or any other area designated for public passage within any public or commercial buildings, or on any property open to public view.
Skateboarding Rules
Unincorporated DeKalb County bars anyone on roller skates or riding coasters, toy vehicles or similar devices from roadways except at a marked crosswalk, treating them as pedestrians with the same rights and duties while crossing.
DeKalb County Roadway Ban on Coasters, Skates
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code of Ordinances § 17-264(a)
No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coasters, toy vehicles or similar devices, shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk, and when so coasting such person shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians. This section shall not apply upon any street while set aside as a play street.(b)I...
Loitering Rules
Unincorporated DeKalb bars loitering around churches, theaters, hotels, convenience stores and sidewalks after a police officer orders a person to move on.
DeKalb County Loitering Prohibition
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 16-43
A person commits the offense of loitering when the person is in a place at a time or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals under circumstances that warrant a justifiable and reasonable alarm or immediate concern for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity.(c)Among the circumstances which may be considered in determining whether alarm is warranted is the fact that the perso...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
DeKalb County's Smoke-Free Air Ordinance bans smoking in outdoor recreational public places and common areas, and also within 20 feet of any entrance, operable window, outdoor restaurant seating or service line countywide. Freestanding bars, retail tobacco stores and private residences are exempt, and penalties climb from $50 to $100 per repeat violation.
DeKalb County Outdoor Smoking Buffer Rule
Significant RestrictionsDeKalb County Code §§ 16-103, 16-105, 16-106, 16-109, 16-111
Except as allowed in this division, smoking is prohibited in all public places, outdoor recreational public places, common areas, and places of employment. ... Smoking shall be prohibited within: (1)Twenty (20) feet of any outside entrance, operable window, or ventilation system of a common area, public place, place of employment, or outdoor recreational public place; (2)Twenty (20) feet of out...
Jaywalking
Unincorporated DeKalb County requires pedestrians to use a crosswalk when crossing in a business district or on a designated street, and bars crossing anywhere else except at right angles to the curb or by the shortest route to the opposite curb, under Code §§ 17-171 and 17-172.
DeKalb County Jaywalking and Crosswalk Rule
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code §§ 17-171, 17-172
Sec. 17-171. - Use of crosswalks. Pedestrians shall not cross any street or roadway in a business district or any designated streets or highways except in a crosswalk. Sec. 17-172. - Crossing at right angles. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway at any place other than by a route at right angles to the curb or by the shortest route to the opposite curb, except in a crosswalk.
Public Alcohol Use
Unincorporated DeKalb County bars drinking or carrying an open container of alcohol in any public area, with one narrow escape hatch: a parks and recreation permit for a group function at one of a specific list of approved park locations, or a planning department permit for two designated cultural venues.
DeKalb County Open Container and Public Drinking Ban
Heavy RestrictionsDeKalb County Code §§ 16-69, 19-30(a)-(e)
No person shall consume alcoholic beverages or transport open containers of alcoholic beverages on or upon public areas, except where authorized under the provisions of section 19-30 pertaining to the issuance of a permit for the consumption of alcoholic beverages in county parks. ... Prohibited; exception. No person shall serve, consume or transport in open containers any alcoholic beverage wi...
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