Decatur, AL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Reach
- City limits and police jurisdiction of Decatur
- Lawful dump
- City garbage dump or site approved by Morgan County health officer
- Penalty
- $1 to $500 fine, up to six months (§ 1-8)
- Landfill rate
- $29.00 per ton, $15.00 minimum charge
- Debris not collected
- Building debris, dirt, stumps, limbs four inches or larger
- Hauling rule
- Refuse must travel in a covered or enclosed vehicle
Summary
In the City of Decatur, Alabama, it is unlawful to dump refuse on any property other than a garbage dump, to deposit refuse on a street, alley, sidewalk, park or another person's property, or to leave refuse where wind or rain can carry it there. The rule reaches the city limits and its police jurisdiction. The penalty is a fine of $1 to $500 and up to six months.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to sweep, throw or otherwise deposit or cause to be swept, thrown or otherwise deposited any refuse into or on any public street, alley, sidewalk, park or the property of another person or property which is in the possession of another person within the corporate limits and police jurisdiction of the city or to permit any refuse to accumulate in such manner that it may be carried and deposited into or on any of the above places by action of the rain, wind or snow. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to ... dump, or cause to be dumped, any refuse upon any property other than a garbage dump as defined in section 19-1 of this chapter. ... No person shall throw, place or dispose of any trash, litter, garbage, rubbish, refuse or like matter upon the property or premises of another person which is in the possession of another person.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 19 of the Code of Decatur, Alabama, attacks dumping from several angles. Section 19-3(a) makes it unlawful to sweep, throw or deposit refuse into or on any public street, alley, sidewalk, park or property in another person's possession within the corporate limits and police jurisdiction of the city, or to let refuse accumulate so rain, wind or snow carries it there. Subsection (b) adds paper, garbage, rubbish and glass, metal or paper containers dropped on any curb, gutter, street, avenue, highway, tunnel, sidewalk, park, parkway or lot, vacant or occupied.
Section 19-4 bars dumping refuse on any property other than a garbage dump, which § 19-1 defines as a place operated by the City of Decatur or another place designated and approved by the county health officer of Morgan County. Section 19-22 separately bars anyone from throwing, placing or disposing of trash, litter, garbage, rubbish or refuse on premises in another person's possession.
Businesses have their own duty: § 19-10 makes it unlawful for a firm to sweep residue from buildings, parking areas or sidewalks into curblines or streets, or to put solid waste in gutters where it would clog storm drainage. Contractors carry the burden for their own debris. Fence companies, tree surgeons, nurseries and landscapers must remove residue from their work (§ 19-9), and owners or builders must remove debris from new construction before occupancy (§ 19-8). Building debris, dirt, stumps, tree trunks and limbs four inches or larger in diameter are not collected by the sanitation department (§ 19-7). Anyone hauling refuse must use a covered or enclosed vehicle (§ 19-21).
Legal disposal exists at the city MSW/CD landfill, which refuses toxic, hazardous, biological and liquid waste (§ 19-37). Its posted rate is $29.00 per ton with a $15.00 minimum, and $5.00 per passenger tire (§ 19-38). Waste hauled for hire from within the city must go to that landfill on Highway 20 West at the Morgan County and Lawrence County line (§ 19-42).
Violations & Fines
Chapter 19 prints no separate criminal penalty for dumping, so the general penalty in § 1-8 applies: a misdemeanor with a fine of $1 to $500 and up to six months in jail or hard labor. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense. A corporation pays the fine plus court costs. Offensive refuse accumulations are also a declared public nuisance under § 19-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to dump trash on vacant property in Decatur?
What counts as a garbage dump under Decatur's code?
Who removes building debris and tree limbs in Decatur?
What is the penalty for littering or dumping in Decatur?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Decatur
Compare Decatur to another location·View the Alabama trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.