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Illegal Dumping

Illegally dumped trash piled against a chain link fence

Report Illegal Dumping

Submit an Illegal Dumping report through Get It Done or call the Environmental Services Department at 858-694-7000.

For urgent hazards or assistance after normal business hours, on weekends or holidays, call 619-527-7500. For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1.

What Is Illegal Dumping?

Illegal dumping generally means leaving or disposing of waste in a location where disposal is not authorized. This includes dumping waste on public or private roads and rights-of-way, public parks or other public property, or private property without the property owner’s permission.

Examples may include:

  • Furniture and mattresses
  • Appliances
  • Tires
  • Construction and demolition debris
  • Landscaping and yard waste
  • Oil or other liquid waste
  • Large piles of trash or other discarded materials

San Diego Municipal Code section 54.0209 prohibits placing or causing waste to be placed in these locations without authorization. The City’s Illegal Dumping reporting service is primarily intended for larger discarded items that can create health, safety or accessibility concerns in public spaces.

What Happens After You Submit a Report?

The City of San Diego resolves more than 60,000 illegal dumping reports annually. Reports are reviewed and investigated primarily by the Environmental Services Department.

The City’s first priority is to remove illegally dumped waste and address hazards in the public right-of-way as quickly as possible. Environmental Services has teams working five days a week throughout the city, with an emphasis on removing larger waste items that may create the greatest health and safety concerns.

Cleanup and enforcement are two parts of the City’s response:

  • A report helps the City locate, assess and remove illegally dumped waste.
  • Information identifying the responsible person, vehicle, business or address may allow the City to take enforcement action.

Enforcement actions generally depend on the information and evidence available to connect the violation to the person or business responsible.

Help Us Identify Illegal Dumpers

When submitting a report, provide as much information as possible. Helpful information may include:

  • The exact location of the dumping
  • A description of the items or materials
  • The date and time the dumping occurred
  • A business name
  • A vehicle description and license plate number
  • A description of the person involved
  • An address or business where the waste may have originated
  • Photographs or videos of the incident

Photographs of the dumped items can help City crews locate and assess the waste. Photographs or videos showing the dumping taking place, a vehicle, license plate, business name or other identifying information can be especially helpful for enforcement.

Residents should not confront anyone engaged in illegal dumping. Information should only be collected from a safe location.

Penalties for Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping violations may result in fines of up to $1,000 per violation. The City may also seek to recover costs associated with removing illegally dumped waste, as permitted by law. Each day that illegally dumped waste remains may be treated as a separate violation.

Community Cleanup and Recycling Events

In addition to illegal dumping removal and enforcement, the City organizes nearly 100 community cleanup and recycling events each year. These events are coordinated in partnership with each City Council district. Council offices and City staff work together to identify communities and locations most in need of the service. The events provide residents with convenient opportunities to properly dispose of unwanted bulky items and other accepted materials.

To report illegal dumping or other waste-related violations, please use the City of San Diego's Get It Done app or call Environmental Services at 858-694-7000.

 

Hazardous Waste