Concord, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Penalties
- PC §374.3 fines from $250 to $10,000
- Vehicle used in
- Vehicle used in dumping may be impounded
- Property owners liable
- Property owners liable for dumped material on their land
- Report via Fix-It
- Report via Fix-It Concord portal/app
- Chronic sites may
- Chronic sites may be under camera surveillance
Summary
Illegal dumping of waste on public or private property in Concord is prohibited under Concord Municipal Code Title 6 and California Penal Code §374.3, which authorizes fines of $250 to $10,000 plus cleanup costs for repeat offenders. Concord Code Enforcement, Concord Police, and Contra Costa Environmental Health share jurisdiction. Report dumping via the Concord Fix-It reporting tool.
(a) It is unlawful to dump or cause to be dumped waste matter in or upon a public or private highway or road, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof, or in or upon private property into or upon which the public is admitted by easement or license, or upon private property without the consent of the owner, or in or upon a public park or other public property other than property designated or set aside for that purpose by the governing board or body having charge of that property.
(b) It is unlawful to place, deposit, or dump, or cause to be placed, deposited, or dumped, rocks, concrete, asphalt, or dirt in or upon a private highway or road, including any portion of the right-of-way of the private highway or road, or private property, without the consent of the owner or a contractor under contract with the owner for the materials, or in or upon a public park or other public property, without the consent of the state or local agency having jurisdiction over the highway, road, or property.
(c) A person violating this section is guilty of an infraction. Each day that waste placed, deposited, or dumped in violation of subdivision (a) or (b) remains is a separate violation.
(e) A person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished by a mandatory fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) upon a first conviction, by a mandatory fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) upon a second conviction, and by a mandatory fine of not less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) nor more than three thousand dollars ($3,000) upon a third or subsequent conviction.
Full Breakdown
Illegal dumping is a significant regional issue addressed through overlapping state and local authority. 3 makes it a misdemeanor to dump waste on public or private property without consent; first-offense fines range from $250 to $3,000, second offense $500 to $6,000, and third or subsequent offense $750 to $10,000, plus mandatory cleanup costs, community service, and potential vehicle impoundment if a vehicle was used. Commercial dumping carries enhanced penalties up to $10,000. Concord Municipal Code Title 6 parallels these state provisions, authorizing nuisance abatement and cost recovery liens against responsible parties.
Common violations include furniture and mattress dumping at roadsides, construction debris in vacant lots, and contaminated material in storm-drain creeks (which triggers additional Clean Water Act and California Water Code §13304 liability). Property owners are responsible for removing dumped material on their property, but may pursue restitution from identified dumpers. Concord accepts reports through its "Fix-It Concord" web portal and mobile app; the city also conducts routine abatement of hotspots such as Monument Corridor and parts of the Iron Horse Trail. Concord Police operate occasional surveillance-camera programs at chronic dumping sites. Residents with legitimate bulky waste should use Republic Services' free annual bulk pickups or self-haul to Mt. Diablo Recycling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping yard waste in a creek illegal?
Can I be fined for dumping on my own vacant lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Concord
California rules heatmap·Compare Concord to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle illegal dumping.