Charlotte City Code Chapter 15 restricts aggressive solicitation in public, banning physical contact, threatening behavior, and panhandling near ATMs, sidewalk cafes, and bus stops while preserving passive holding-a-sign speech protected under the First Amendment.
Following federal court decisions striking down broad begging bans, Charlotte focuses on conduct rather than the act of asking. The ordinance prohibits soliciting within set distances of ATMs, outdoor dining areas, CATS bus stops, and parked vehicles, plus any solicitation involving touching, following, blocking a path, profanity, or threats. Daytime passive panhandling on public sidewalks remains lawful. CMPD typically warns first and refers individuals to homeless outreach via Roof Above and Mecklenburg County Community Support Services. Repeat offenders may receive misdemeanor citations under NCGS 14-159 trespass when on private property.
Touching pedestrians, following a person who declined, soliciting at ATMs, blocking sidewalk-cafe patrons, or threatening drivers triggers CMPD citations, with repeat conduct upgraded to disorderly-conduct misdemeanors.
See how Charlotte's aggressive panhandling rules stack up against other locations.
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