Canton, OH Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Section 521.08, Littering and Dumping, splits the offense into two subsections in the City of Canton, Ohio. Subsection (a) prohibits littering on any public or private property or waters, defined to include dropping, discarding, throwing, placing, depositing or disposing of small-quantity items like waste paper, cans, bottles, cigarettes, cigars and foodstuffs. Subsection (b) separately bans dumping without lawful authority, defined more broadly to include discarding, dropping, placing, throwing, depositing or disposing of garbage, trash, dead animals, junk, tires, automobile parts or unusable building materials that serve no functional purpose where found or that become noxious, offensive, injurious or dangerous to public health, comfort or safety.

Subsection (c) extends both bans to corporations, partnerships, associations and firms, not just individuals. Penalties escalate sharply for littering under subsection (d): a first offense draws a $150 ticket payable over the counter or contestable in court, a second offense within two years is an unclassified misdemeanor with a penalty of not less than $500, and a third or additional offense within two years is a third-degree misdemeanor carrying mandatory community service on top of any other penalty, with all violations within one year of the first requiring a personal court appearance.

Dumping penalties under subsection (e) run separately and start higher: a third-degree misdemeanor on the first offense, escalating to a first-degree misdemeanor on any subsequent offense within two years. The current penalty structure was adopted by Ordinance 71-2017, passed April 3, 2017.