(A) It shall be unlawful for anyone other than the person who initially placed the solid waste/recyclables for collection to open, move, or otherwise disturb a solid waste/recyclables container that has been placed for collection adjacent to a street or sidewalk in compliance with the regulations prescribed by this chapter.
(B) It shall be unlawful for anyone other than the person who initially placed the solid waste/recyclables for collection to open a plastic bag placed inside a solid waste/recyclables container or to remove or otherwise disturb in any manner the contents of the solid waste/ recyclables container after the container has been placed for collection adjacent to a street or sidewalk in compliance with the regulations prescribed by this chapter.
(C) Notwithstanding divisions (A) and (B) of this section, the prohibition against opening, moving, removing, or otherwise disturbing a solid waste/ recyclables container, or its contents, after placement for collection is inapplicable to the following individuals and entities:
(1) Employees or contractors of the United States of America, the State of North Carolina, or the City of Asheboro when such employees or contractors are operating within the scope of their employment or contractual responsibilities.
(2) Any and all individuals who belong to the same household as the person who initially placed the solid waste/recyclables container adjacent to the street or sidewalk for collection.
(D) A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.
(‘69 Code, § 9-16) (Ord. 180, passed 1-8-48; Am. Ord. 01 ORD 1-12, passed 1-5-12; Am. Ord. 02 ORD 2-12, passed 2-9-12; Am. Ord. 36 ORD 12-21, passed 12-9-21) Penalty, see § 51.99