Richardson, TX Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)

Subsection (a) makes it an offense to dispose of, or allow or permit the disposal of, litter or solid waste at a place that is not an approved solid waste site, including within 300 feet of a public highway, on a right-of-way, on other public or private property, or into state water. Subsections (b) and (c) separately criminalize receiving or transporting litter or solid waste for disposal at an unapproved site. Subsection (j) confirms the offense includes unauthorized dumping in a dumpster or similar receptacle.

Penalties escalate by weight or volume: a Class C misdemeanor applies at five pounds or five gallons or less; a Class B misdemeanor applies above that threshold but under 500 pounds or 100 cubic feet; a Class A misdemeanor applies from 500 up to 1,000 pounds or 100 to 200 cubic feet, or for any commercial dumping between five and 200 pounds or gallons; and a state jail felony applies at 1,000 pounds or 200 cubic feet or more, for commercial dumping of 200 pounds or more, or for waste in a closed barrel or drum.

A prior conviction under the section bumps the punishment to the next highest category. Subsection (s) requires the court to order community service in addition to any fine, and subsection (i) requires written notice that a later conviction can trigger forfeiture of the vehicle used in the dumping under Chapter 59 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Subsection (m) lets a municipality or county offer a $50 reward for a tip that leads to prosecution. Exemptions exist under subsection (k) for temporary storage of waste for future disposal on land the person owns, and under subsection (l) for an individual's noncommercial disposal of waste generated and disposed of on land they own.