The first £75 fines for littering could be handed out on the streets of Swansea as early as April.
The crackdown will launch in the city centre, where it will be easiest to enforce.
It will then be extended to other areas.High visibility patrol officers will be used to get the litter-free message across.
And CCTV could also be used to track down offenders, said council chiefs.
Neighbouring Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot councils already impose £75 spot fines on litter louts.
Now Swansea wants to follow suit in a bid to clean up the city centre.
The move follows new legislation requiring all local authorities in Wales to sweep clean their roads and pavements of rubbish.
A Swansea Council spokeswoman said: "The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act of 2005 is due to be introduced in Wales in April with amendments to litter legislation."
"The council is working towards the introduction of enforcement officers and the setting of a £75 fixed penalty fine for litter-dropping."
A report is being prepared that will go to our cabinet for approval in due course."Initially, it is believed, fines will be issued by special enforcement officers.
However, it is thought police or PCSOs could be drafted in to help.The authority insists there will be no set targets for enforcement, and plans to introduce high-visibility patrols to act as a deterrent to litter-droppers.
The penalty fine has been fixed at £75, although each case will be dealt with on its own merits.
People dropping all types of litter, including cigarettes and chewing gum, will be at risk of a fine, although an appeal process against prosecution will be available.
A Swansea Council spokesman confirmed that CCTV evidence could be used to trap offenders.
"The new legislation will apply across the whole of Wales," he added."The date of its introduction will depend upon each local authority.
"Its introduction in Swansea in April will depend on whether enforcement procedures are in place."
Negotiations with our partners are ongoing."
Steve Beckham, aged 24, owner of Show Events, which runs hot dog stalls in the city centre, said higher fines should be imposed.
He added: "If you drop litter in Scotland they charge on-the-spot fines.
"If we can't do that here, then maybe Swansea Council should think about increasing the fine of £75 to act as even more of a deterrent.
"There should also be more bins so people can dispose of their rubbish more easily."
