South Fulton, GA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 15-7001
- Bank/ATM buffer
- 15 feet during business hours
- Solicitation buffer after refusal
- 5 feet
- General penalty (§ 1-1006)
- Fine up to $1,000.00 or 90 days
- Adopted
- Ord. 2019-001, 1-22-2019
- Protected activity
- Picketing/protest exempted, § 15-7001(c)
Summary
South Fulton bans aggressive panhandling anywhere in a public area and bars solo-benefit solicitation on transit, within 15 feet of banks and ATMs, on posted private property, and from drivers stuck in traffic. Aggressive panhandling covers physical contact, following, blocking passage, obscene language, and repeated solicitation after a refusal.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, organization, or corporation to aggressively panhandle within any public area in the city or panhandle or solicit funds for the sole benefit of the solicitor: (1)In any public transportation vehicle, or bus or subway station or stop; (2)Within 15 feet of any entrance or exit of any bank or check cashing business or within 15 feet of any automated teller machine during the hours of operation of such bank, automated teller machine or check cashing business without the consent of the owner or other person legally in possession of such facilities...(4)From any operator of a motor vehicle that is in traffic on a public street, whether in exchange for cleaning the vehicle's windows, or for blocking, occupying, or reserving a public parking space; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not apply to services rendered in connection with emergency repairs requested by the operator or passengers of such vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code Chapter 7, Sec. 15-7001(a) defines "aggressive panhandling" to include intentionally or recklessly touching a person or vehicle without consent while soliciting; following someone in a way likely to cause fear of imminent bodily harm or intimidate them into paying; continuing to solicit within five feet of a person after a negative response under those same fear or intimidation conditions; blocking a person's or vehicle's safe passage or forcing evasive action, with constitutionally protected picketing exempted; using obscene or abusive language or gestures meant to intimidate; and approaching someone in a manner likely to cause fear of imminent bodily harm.
Sec. 15-7001(b) then makes it unlawful to aggressively panhandle in any public area of the city, or to panhandle or solicit funds for the solicitor's sole benefit inside any public transit vehicle, bus or subway stop; within 15 feet of a bank, check-cashing business, or ATM entrance during operating hours without the owner's consent; on private property after the owner or occupant has objected or posted a no-solicitation sign; or from a motor vehicle operator stuck in traffic, including window-washing or space-reservation solicitations, though emergency vehicle repairs requested by the driver are exempted.
Subsection (c) confirms the chapter regulates only time, place, and manner, and does not reach constitutionally protected picketing or protest. Companion Sec. 15-7002 separately bans begging by "accosting" someone or "forcing oneself upon the company of another," and within 15 feet of public restrooms, pay phones, bus stops or taxi stands, or building entrances/exits, and Sec. 15-7003 bans all street solicitation within any public right-of-way.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 7 sets no separate penalty section of its own, so a Sec. 15-7001 violation falls under the citywide general penalty, Sec. 1-1006: a fine not to exceed $1,000.00, imprisonment in the city jail for not more than 90 days, public-works or street labor for not more than 90 days, or community service for not more than 90 days, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes panhandling "aggressive" in South Fulton?
Where is solo-benefit panhandling banned outright?
Can I be fined for panhandling near a bank in South Fulton?
Does this ordinance apply to protesters or picketers?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Fulton
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