Chester County, PA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Illegal dumping in Chester County is prosecuted under Pennsylvania's statewide scattering-rubbish law, 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6501. Subsection (a) makes it an offense to cause waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse or rubbish, or any dangerous or detrimental substance to be deposited on any road, street, highway, alley, railroad right-of-way, on the land of another, or into the waters of the Commonwealth. A first violation is a summary offense punishable by a $50 to $300 fine, mandatory litter pickup of 5 to 30 hours, or up to 90 days imprisonment. Second and later offenses are third-degree misdemeanors with $300 to $1,000 fines. Municipal police, state police, and DEP enforce it; municipalities may add their own dumping ordinances.