Cobb County, GA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered roads
- arterial and collector roads only
- Prohibited act
- soliciting vehicle occupants from roadway
- Includes
- medians, shoulders, turn lanes
- Not restricted
- sidewalk solicitation of pedestrians
Summary
Unincorporated Cobb County bans panhandling, soliciting or distributing materials to occupants of vehicles stopped on arterial and collector roads, medians included, whenever those roads are open to traffic.
No person shall be upon or go upon any public arterial or collector road or street or road median for the purpose of any kind of distribution of materials, pamphlets, flyers or goods, or soliciting business or charitable contributions or panhandling of any kind from the occupants of any motorized vehicle located on the public arterial or collector roads, when such roads or streets are open to traffic, in the unincorporated county.(b)The language of this article is intended to prohibit the activities described above only when they are directed by pedestrians toward occupants of motor vehicles that are on the traveled portion of public arterial or collector roads that are open to traffic. The term "traveled portion" includes travel lanes, turn lanes, and other portions of the road that are generally used for motor vehicle travel. This article is not intended to prohibit activities such as advertising, distribution of goods or materials, or business or charitable solicitation that is directed toward pedestrians on sidewalks. (Amd. of 2-23-16)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53).
Full Breakdown
The county's board of commissioners found that pedestrians exchanging objects with motorists on arterial and collector roads, including panhandling directed at vehicle occupants, is hazardous where traffic volume is high. Section 86-63 bans standing on any public arterial or collector road, street or median to distribute materials, solicit business or charitable contributions, or panhandle from vehicle occupants whenever the road is open to traffic. The ban is content-neutral, covering advertising and charitable solicitation the same as panhandling, and does not restrict sidewalk activity directed at pedestrians.
Violations & Fines
Violating the roadway solicitation ban is a misdemeanor citation issued by county police; Article IV sets no unique fine, so the general municipal penalty in Section 1-10 applies upon conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is panhandling illegal everywhere in unincorporated Cobb County?
Does the roadway solicitation ban single out panhandling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cobb County
Compare Cobb County to another location·View the Georgia public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.