---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-7-47. Designation of containers for household garbage; misuse or vandalization of container.
collection: code
id: 16-7-47
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-7-47 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-7-47
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-7-47.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-7-47/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t16-ch7-11-(v14a)-2018-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=aecbfe9c_0#page=121
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMES AND OFFENSES / DAMAGE TO AND INTRUSION UPON PROPERTY / CRIMINAL TRESPASS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY / LITTERING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY
extraction_warnings:
  - dehyphenation_unverified:pack-aging
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-7-47. Designation of containers for household garbage; misuse or vandalization of container.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term ‘‘household garbage’’ means animal, vegetable, and fruit refuse matter and other refuse matter ordinarily generated as by-products of a household or restaurant, such as tin cans, bottles, paper, cardboard, plastics, and wrapping or packaging materials.

(b) The governing authority of each county, municipality, or consolidated government of this state which provides containers for the dumping of trash or garbage therein shall be authorized to designate any or all such containers as being suitable for the dumping therein of household garbage only. If a container is clearly marked ‘‘household garbage only,’’ it shall be unlawful for any person to dump any refuse or other material into the container other than household garbage.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to set fire to the contents of, indiscriminately scatter or disperse the contents of, or otherwise vandalize any containers provided by any county, municipality, or consolidated government for the dumping of trash or garbage.

(d) Any person who violates subsection (b) or (c) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

## History

Ga. L. 1979, p. 831, §§ 1-3; Ga. L. 2006, p. 275, § 2-1/HB 1320.

## Cross References

Solid waste handling, disposal, etc., § 12-8-20 et seq.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2006, p. 275, § 1-1/HB 1320, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: ‘‘This Act shall be known and may be cited as the ‘Comprehensive Litter Prevention and Abatement Act of 2006.’’’

Ga. L. 2006, p. 275, § 5-1/HB 1320, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the Act shall become effective April 21, 2006, for purposes of adopting local ordinances to become effective on or after July 1, 2006.

## Law Reviews

For article surveying legislative and judicial developments in Georgia local government law for 1978-79, see 31 Mercer L. Rev. 155 (1979).