Bloomington, IN Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- First violation fine
- $50
- Second violation (12 mo.)
- $100
- Third+ violation (12 mo.)
- $150
- Enforcement year
- Aug. 1 to July 31
- Enforcing agency
- HAND / Police Department
- Legal status
- Declared a public nuisance
Summary
It is unlawful in the City of Bloomington to throw, place or scatter garbage, recyclable material or yard waste on any street, alley or premises, public or private. HAND treats every violation as a public nuisance and escalates the fine from $50 to $150 within a year.
It is unlawful for any person to throw, place, or scatter any garbage, recyclable materials or yard waste over or upon any premises, street, alley, either public or private, or to suffer or permit any garbage, recyclable materials or yard waste to be placed or deposited on the premises owned, occupied or controlled by such person either with or without the intent to later remove, cover, or burn it. ... Violations of the provisions of this chapter are declared a public nuisance. each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation.
Full Breakdown
020 bars any person from throwing, placing or scattering garbage, recyclable materials or yard waste over or upon any premises, street or alley, public or private, and separately bars anyone from suffering or permitting that waste to sit on property they own, occupy or control, whether or not they intend to later remove, cover or burn it. The section carves out one narrow exception: filling low ground within the city with brick, stone, sand, gravel, cold ashes or dirt after a permit from the city engineering department.
110 declares every violation of the chapter a public nuisance, with each day a violation continues counting as its own separate violation. 060 and issues a written notice of violation identifying the location, the nature of the violation and the fine, served in person, by first-class mail, or posted conspicuously on the property. 090.
Violations & Fines
Section 6.06.070 sets an escalating fine schedule: fifty dollars for a first violation, one hundred dollars for a second violation, and one hundred fifty dollars for a third or later violation, all within the same twelve-month period running August 1 through July 31. Nonpossessory property owners get a seven-day grace period after the notice if they hand HAND a copy of the lease covering the violation period. Fines are paid at HAND, can be contested in Monroe County Circuit Court, and can be appealed in writing to the board of public works within seven days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to dump yard waste on my own Bloomington property?
Is there any legal way to fill low ground with dirt or gravel in Bloomington?
How much is the fine for illegal dumping in Bloomington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bloomington
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