Alexandria, VA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Chapter 13 of Title 11 bans dumping broadly: Sec. 11-13-2(a) makes it unlawful to dump waste, a term defined to include commercial, hazardous, household hazardous, industrial, solid, structural, bulk and yard waste, on any property or into any waters, sanitary sewer or stormwater system without lawful authorization or a permit, and places the burden on the accused to produce proof of any permit. Sec. 11-13-2(b) creates a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner of a vehicle or watercraft is responsible when waste is dumped from it, shifting the burden to the owner to rebut that presumption with evidence.

A related provision, Sec. 11-13-3, separately bans unlawfully storing or accumulating waste on any property, and Sec. 11-13-4 makes it unlawful to simply fail to keep property clean and free of waste accumulation. Anyone who removes a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a city street after an accident must also clear any glass, metal, liquid, hazardous or solid waste the vehicle dropped, under Sec. 11-13-5, and anyone required to remove waste under the chapter must produce a disposal receipt showing the date, time, place and quantity of proper disposal under Sec.

11-13-6. Enforcement authority under Sec. 11-13-7 extends beyond police to the directors of transportation and environmental services, public health, and code administration, along with the chief fire marshal and their deputies, giving the city multiple agencies that can act on an illegal dumping complaint.