Cambridge, MA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Municipal Code § 12.20.090
- Permission authority
- Commissioner of Public Works
- Criminal fine
- Up to $50 per offense
- Non-criminal disposition
- $25 per offense, G.L. c. 40 § 21D
- Applies to
- Commons, parks, public grounds
Summary
Cambridge bars anyone from dumping carcasses, filth, rubbish, or earth on any common or public ground without the Commissioner of Public Works' permission, under Municipal Code § 12.20.090. Violators face a criminal fine of up to $50 or a $25 non-criminal disposition per day under § 12.20.140.
No person, except by permission of the Commissioner of Public Works and for some public use, shall dig or carry away any sward, gravel, sand, turf or earth from, nor carry or cause to be carried upon any common or other public grounds any carcass, ordure, filth, dirt, stones or any offensive matter whatever, or throw or place thereon any stones, sand, gravel, turf, earth, rubbish or other substance.
Full Breakdown
090, in the Commons and Public Grounds chapter, prohibits digging up or carrying away sward, gravel, sand, turf or earth from any common or public ground, and separately bars carrying onto those grounds any carcass, ordure, filth, dirt, stones or offensive matter, or throwing or placing stones, sand, gravel, turf, earth or rubbish there. The only exception is when the Commissioner of Public Works permits the activity for a public use, such as authorized grounds maintenance work. 130). 140, rather than separate penalty clauses. c.
40, § 21D, run by Police Officers, Animal Commission employees, Inspectional Services Inspectors and Parking Control Officers. Each day a dumping violation continues counts as a new, separate offense, so an uncleared pile of debris on a common can accumulate fines daily until the Commissioner's office confirms removal.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 12.20.090 is punishable by a criminal fine up to $50 per offense under § 12.20.140(A), or by a $25 non-criminal disposition per offense under § 12.20.140(B) and G.L. c. 40, § 21D. Enforcing officials include Police Officers, Animal Commission staff, Inspectional Services Inspectors and Parking Control Officers, and each day of continued dumping is a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping debris on a Cambridge common illegal?
Who can authorize dumping or digging on Cambridge public grounds?
What is the fine for illegal dumping on Cambridge public grounds?
Who enforces Cambridge's public-grounds dumping ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cambridge
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle illegal dumping.