Charleston, SC Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Charleston's litter and dumping ban sits in Chapter 14, Article I. Section 14-2(a) makes it unlawful to throw, discard, place or deposit solid waste of any kind, garbage, construction debris, bulk trash, in any amount on public or private property unless it goes into a container or area set up for that purpose. Section 14-2(b) gives the city a rebuttable evidentiary presumption in dumping cases involving a vehicle: proof that a described vehicle was the source of the dumped waste, combined with proof the defendant was the registered owner at the time, is evidence the owner committed the violation, useful for dumping caught on camera where the dumper isn't seen.

Enforcement runs through Section 14-16. The mayor can authorize specified city employees to issue notices or citations backed by probable cause; citations must be personally delivered or sent by certified mail, identify the violation, state the municipal court bond, and direct the violator to correct the condition and appear in court at least ten days out. If the violator doesn't post bond, correct the violation, or appear, the city can seek an arrest warrant or enter the property to clean it up itself and place a lien against the property for the cost, including attorney's fees, under Section 14-16(f). 00 or up to 30 days in jail under Section 14-16(e) and Section 1-16.