Fresno County, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Base penalty
- $1,000 per violation, misdemeanor
- Major violation penalty
- $3,000 per item or cubic yard
- Littering penalty
- $100/$200/$500 escalating fines
- Civil court penalty
- Up to $1,000 per day
- Appeal window
- 15 days from citation
Summary
Fresno County treats illegal dumping as a misdemeanor and a public nuisance under Chapter 8.22, adopted by Ordinance No. 24-008 in 2024. Dumping waste matter on public or private property draws a $1,000 administrative penalty per violation, rising to $3,000 for major violations involving commercial quantities, tires, mattresses or appliances.
It is unlawful and a violation of this code and this chapter for any person to Illegally Dump Waste Matter, or to cause Waste Matter to be disposed in a manner not otherwise authorized by this code or State or Federal law. ... Illegal Dumping. Except in cases of Major Violations, as defined in Section 8.22.080.D, each act of Illegal Dumping is punishable as a misdemeanor and is subject to an administrative penalty of $1,000, per violation. ... A person who commits a Major Violation shall be subject to an administrative penalty of $3,000, per violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
030(B) extends liability to any property owner who permits dumping from their land. 6. 080(C) sets the base administrative penalty at $1,000 per violation. 080(D) for 'Major Violations,' defined to include commercial quantities of waste, harmful waste matter, tires, mattresses, household or upholstered furniture, appliances, universal waste, electronic waste, or a fourth offense within a year. 080(F) treats each individual item and each cubic yard of dumped material as a separate violation, so dumping two cubic yards of debris containing a mattress and an appliance can generate several $3,000 penalties in a single incident.
140 makes a vehicle's owner liable when their vehicle is used for dumping with their permission. 030(D), finding two or more pieces of addressed mail in dumped material creates a rebuttable presumption that the addressee is responsible.
Violations & Fines
A first Illegal Dumping act carries a $1,000 administrative penalty and misdemeanor exposure; Major Violations, including commercial-quantity dumping or dumping mattresses, tires, appliances or furniture, carry $3,000 per item or per cubic yard. Littering is a lesser infraction billed at $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $500 for further offenses within a year. Citations must be contested within 15 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for illegal dumping in unincorporated Fresno County?
Is illegal dumping a crime in Fresno County?
How does the county figure out who dumped the waste?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno County
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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