Clinton Township, MI Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Ban
- dumping soil, trash, garbage without a permit
- Permit required from
- Township Board (and State if required)
- Enforcers
- Police, Public Works, Building Department
- Max fine
- $500 per offense
- Max jail term
- 93 days per offense
- Exception
- approved "balancing land" site grading
Summary
Clinton Township bans dumping soil, sand, gravel, trash, rubbish or garbage on any land in the Township without a permit from the Township Board and, where required, the State of Michigan, under Section 676.01(a). The Police Department, Department of Public Works and Building Department all share authority to enforce the ban.
(a) No person shall dump or deposit any soil, sand, clay, gravel, trash, rubbish, garbage or materials of like kind upon any lands in the Township, anything contrary to this section notwithstanding, unless a permit for such dumping has been received from the Township Board and from the State of Michigan, if and as required. ... (e) The Police Department and the Department of Public Works, through the Chief of Police or his or her designated representative, or through the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works or his or her designated representative, shall have the right to enforce this section along with the Superintendent of the Building Department or his or her designated representative.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Local legislation current through May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
01(a) makes it unlawful to dump or deposit soil, sand, clay, gravel, trash, rubbish, garbage or similar materials on any land in the Township unless the Township Board, and the State of Michigan where required, has issued a permit. Subsection (b) carves out "balancing land": moving, removing or bringing in clean soil, sand, clay or gravel as part of grading approved by the Building Department under a site plan or building permit. Subsection (c) separately bars directing anyone else to dump in violation of the section, and (d) prohibits storing materials on one's own premises in a way that comes into direct contact with a neighboring property.
Enforcement authority under (e) runs to the Police Department and Department of Public Works, acting through the Chief of Police or the DPW Superintendent or their designees, working alongside the Superintendent of the Building Department. 99, for whatever fine applies when no specific penalty is listed.
Violations & Fines
Because Section 676.99 sets no dumping-specific fine, a violation of 676.01 falls under the Code's general penalty in Section 202.99: a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment of not more than 93 days, or both, for each offense, unless a different state law penalty applies. Police, DPW and Building Department staff can each initiate enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping trash or fill dirt on private land illegal in Clinton Township?
Who enforces Clinton Township's dumping ban?
What's the penalty for illegal dumping in Clinton Township?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clinton Township
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Macomb County handle illegal dumping.