---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-7-52. Unlawful dumping.
collection: code
id: 16-7-52
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-7-52 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-7-52
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-7-52.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-7-52/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=123
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
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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 / WASTE CONTROL
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-7-52. Unlawful dumping.

It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally dump egregious litter unless authorized to do so by law or by a duly issued permit:

(1) In or on any public highway, road, street, alley, or thoroughfare, including any portion of the right of way thereof, or on any other public lands except in containers or areas lawfully provided for such dumping;

(2) In or on any fresh-water lake, river, canal, or stream or tidal or coastal water of the state; or

(3) In or on any private property, unless prior consent of the owner has been given and unless such dumping will not adversely affect the public health and is not in violation of any other state law, rule, or regulation.

## History

Code 1981, § 16-7-52, enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 496, § 2; Ga. L. 2006, p. 275, § 2-2/HB 1320.

## Code Commission Notes

Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1993, the subsection (a) designation was deleted, since this Code section does not have a subsection (b), and, in paragraph (1), ‘‘right of way’’ was substituted for ‘‘right-of-way’’.

## 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.