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Ceres, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

First offense
Warning notice served
Second conviction fine
$100 minimum
Third conviction fine
$200 minimum
Fourth+ conviction fine
$250 minimum
Habitual offender threshold
4+ convictions/year

Summary

Dumping waste on City or private property in Ceres is a misdemeanor, with escalating fines from $100 to $250 for repeat offenders within a year.

No person shall dump, deposit, or place, or cause or assist in the dumping, depositing, or placing, upon City of Ceres property, or any portion thereof, or in any City of Ceres waste container, any waste or industrial refuse... The minimum penalty for a second conviction for violating this chapter is a $100.00 fine; for a third conviction within one year, the minimum penalty is a $200.00 fine; for a fourth or subsequent conviction within one year, the minimum penalty is a $250.00 fine.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 4).

Full Breakdown

Ceres bans dumping, depositing, or placing waste or industrial refuse on City property, in City waste containers, or on private property/containers not assigned to you. A first offense in 12 months draws a warning notice; a second conviction carries a minimum $100 fine, a third $200, and a fourth or subsequent conviction $250, with habitual offenders (four or more convictions in a calendar year) subject to misdemeanor prosecution by the City Attorney at the Public Works Director's discretion.

Violations & Fines

First offense: written notice only. Second conviction: $100 minimum fine. Third: $200 minimum. Fourth or more in one year: $250 minimum, possible misdemeanor charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is illegal dumping a crime in Ceres?
Yes. Ceres Municipal Code § 6.01.160 makes dumping waste on City or private property unlawful, with fines starting at $100 for a second offense.
What happens on a first offense in Ceres?
The responsible party gets a first notice of illegal disposal rather than an immediate fine; penalties escalate starting with the second conviction.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Ceres

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome RestrictionsHotels & Lodging: Transient Occupancy TaxSome Restrictions

All Ceres rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Ceres to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview

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