Iredell County, NC Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 10.5-7, Loitering on county property
- Covered areas
- Parking and sidewalk areas of county sites
- Exception
- People with lawful business at the site
- Penalty
- Up to $50 fine or 30 days jail
- Adopted
- Ord. of 12-19-17
Summary
Section 10.5-7 makes it unlawful to loaf, lounge or loiter near, on or about the parking or sidewalk areas of any Iredell County-owned property or facility, though people with lawful business there are exempt. A misdemeanor or civil penalty applies.
Sec. 10.5-7. - Loitering on county property or facilities. It shall be unlawful for any person to loaf, lounge, or loiter near, on or about the parking or sidewalk areas of any property or facility. Nothing herein shall be construed, however, as prohibiting those with lawful business at any property or facility from attending to such business, and this chapter shall not apply to persons with lawful business upon any property or facility. (Ord. of 12-19-17)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
5, governing conduct on property and facilities the county owns, leases or otherwise controls, addresses loitering separately from the chapter's general prohibited-activities list. 5-7 targets idling near parking areas and sidewalks at any county property or facility, covering everything from courthouse grounds to library parking lots and administrative building walkways. The section carves out an explicit exception: it does not apply to anyone with lawful business at the property who is attending to that business, so employees, permit applicants, patrons visiting a county office, or people using a park for its intended purpose are not swept in merely by standing near a sidewalk or parking area.
5-5, which bars violating posted rules on parking, building use and littering. 5-5 later amended February 18, 2025 for unrelated parking-authorization language, leaving the loitering text itself unchanged.
Violations & Fines
A loitering violation under section 10.5-7 is a misdemeanor per section 10.5-8, enforced under the chapter 1 general penalty at section 1-7(a) and (b): up to a $50 fine and 30 days in jail, or a $100 civil penalty due within 72 hours of citation, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Iredell County's loitering ban apply?
Can I be cited for loitering if I'm waiting to pay my taxes at the courthouse?
What is the penalty for loitering on county property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Iredell County
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