Public Conduct in New Hanover County, NC (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New Hanover County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
New Hanover County bars soliciting money or goods in an aggressive manner, defined to include physical contact, following, blocking passage or intimidating language, and separately bans soliciting within 15 feet of a bank entrance or ATM, on posted private property, or from vehicle occupants on public streets. Sec. 38-111 sets a $100 civil penalty per violation.
New Hanover County Aggressive Panhandling Ban
Significant RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 38-111
(b)Prohibited acts. It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit, beg or ask for money or other things of value, to exhibit oneself for the purpose of soliciting, begging or asking for money or other things of value, or to solicit or otherwise offer the sale of goods or services:(1)In an aggressive manner;(2)Within 15 feet of any entrance or exit of any bank or financial institution, or withi...
Public Urination
New Hanover County makes it unlawful to defecate or urinate outside the confines of a building where the public can observe it, treating the act as disorderly conduct under Sec. 38-101. A first offense draws a $100 civil citation, rising to $300 and then $500 for repeat violations, or the county can charge it as a misdemeanor instead.
New Hanover County Public Urination Ban
Some RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 38-101, § 38-102
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any of the following acts of disorderly conduct:(1)To defecate or urinate outside the confines of a building such that the activity is observable by the public. ... (b)It is the expressed intent of the board of commissioners that this section be supplemental and additional to the common law and other ordinances and statutes of the county and s...
Loitering Rules
New Hanover County's only loitering ordinance targets loitering for drug activity, not general loitering. Sec. 38-103 bars remaining or wandering in a public place under circumstances showing a purpose to violate state drug law, listing specific behaviors officers can use as evidence, with escalating civil penalties for repeat violations.
New Hanover County Drug Loitering Ban
Some RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 38-103
(c)Prohibited acts. It shall be unlawful for a person to remain or wander about in a public place in a manner and under circumstances manifesting the purpose to engage in a violation of any subdivision of G.S. 90-86 et seq. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:(1)Repeatedly beckoning to, stopping or attempting to stop passersby, or repeatedly attempting to engage passersby in ...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
A joint ordinance among New Hanover County, Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach bans smoking and e-cigarette use on all government grounds, including parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, trails and bus stops within a 100-foot radius, under Code of Ordinances Sec. 32-33. An individual violation is a $50.00 infraction.
New Hanover County Outdoor Smoking Ban
Significant RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 32-33
Sec. 32-33. - Areas in which smoking and e-cigarette use is prohibited. (a)Smoking and e-cigarette use is prohibited in all of the following:(1)In any county, city, and town buildings.(2)In any county, city, and town vehicles.(3)On any county, city, and town grounds, except where expressly permitted by the county, city, or town within designated areas.(4)All other county, city, and town propert...
Public Alcohol Use
New Hanover County bans drinking or carrying an open bottle, can or container of liquor, wine, malt beverage or other alcohol inside any county-owned or leased building, including parking decks, unless the county manager authorizes it in writing. County parks and gardens are carved out for unfortified drinks. Violators face a $100 civil citation or a misdemeanor charge.
New Hanover County Open Container Rule
Some RestrictionsNew Hanover County Code of Ordinances § 38-33
(a)No person shall drink or possess a bottle, can, or container of any intoxicating liquor, wine, malt or other alcoholic beverage as defined in G.S. 18B-101(4) while in any public building owned or controlled by county as lessee, including, but not limited to, any county parking deck, unless specifically authorized in writing by the county manager.(b)All alcoholic beverages or intoxicating liq...
Public Conduct by City in New Hanover County
1 cities in New Hanover County have their own public conduct rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All New Hanover County ordinances
See every category we cover for New Hanover County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
New Hanover County Ordinance Hub →