Johnston County, NC Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer from banks
- 100 feet
- Buffer from transit stops
- 20 feet
- Buffer from open businesses
- 20 feet
- Banned hours
- 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Public-property permit
- Free, Sheriff-issued, valid 1 year
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4
Summary
Johnston County makes it a misdemeanor to accost, block, touch, or follow anyone while begging or soliciting, and bans panhandling within 100 feet of a bank, 20 feet of a bus stop or an open business, or between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. countywide. Soliciting on public property also requires a free Sheriff-issued permit under § 16-6, and violators face a G.S. 14-4 misdemeanor under § 16-4.
Sec. 16-4. Public solicitation and begging regulated. ... Accosting: approaching or speaking to an individual or individuals in such a manner as would cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm or the commission of a criminal act upon his or her person, or upon property in his or her immediate possession. ... (b) Prohibited acts. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to beg, solicit, or panhandle, as defined in subsection (a), above: a. By accosting another, or by forcing oneself upon the company of another; b. Within 100 feet of any financial institution; c. Within 20 feet of any bus stop, train station, or taxi stand; d. Within 20 feet of any commercial establishment which is open for business; ... k. Between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; ... o. Without having and displaying a valid permit as required by Section 16-6. ... (c) Penalty. A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor as set forth in G.S. 14-4.
Full Breakdown
Section 16-4 defines 'accosting' as approaching or speaking to someone in a manner that would make a reasonable person fear imminent bodily harm or a crime against their person or property, and separately defines 'forcing oneself upon the company of another' to include continuing to solicit after a negative response, blocking someone's path, or otherwise pressuring a person to accede. ; soliciting while intoxicated or after illegal drug use; using false claims about the need for funds or veteran status; falsely claiming a disability; or soliciting without the permit § 16-6 requires.
That companion section makes the Sheriff issue solicitation permits for public property free of charge, valid for one year, with revocation making a person ineligible to reapply for two years and appeal to the Sheriff available within ten days. S. 14-4.
Violations & Fines
Accosting, blocking, touching, or following someone while soliciting, or begging within the barred distances or hours set out in § 16-4(b), is a misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4. Soliciting on public property without the free Sheriff-issued permit required by § 16-6 is a separate violation, and a revoked permit makes the holder ineligible for a new one for two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is panhandling illegal in Johnston County?
How close can someone panhandle to an ATM or bank branch?
Do I need a permit to panhandle on a public sidewalk in Johnston County?
What hours is panhandling banned entirely?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Johnston County
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