Dodge County, WI Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Dodge County Code § 9.02
- Covers
- Highways, county waters, other's private property
- Base deposit
- $50.00
- Total with statutory fees
- $200.50
- Enforcement
- Citation under § 30.04
- Exceptions
- Proper receptacle or DNR-permitted disposal
Summary
It is unlawful in unincorporated Dodge County to deposit solid waste, from garbage to brush to cigarette butts, on any highway, in county waters, on other public property, or on someone else's private property, or to let waste spill from a vehicle. A citation carries a $50.00 deposit totaling $200.50.
9.02 - LITTERING PROHIBITED. ... (1)In this section: ... (d)"Solid waste" means any solid materials, including, but not limited to, metals, plastics, glass, paper, fabrics, rubber, processed or manufactured wood products, refuse, filth, cigarette butts, weeds, sod, brush, bottles, cans, garbage, and other litter. (2)It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:(a)Deposit or discharge any solid waste on or along any highway, in any waters of the County, on the ice of any waters of the County or on any other public property located within the County or its jurisdiction or on any other private property owned by another person located within the County or its jurisdiction.(b)Permit any solid waste to be discharged or deposited from a vehicle operated or owned by the person. ... (4)Enforcement. Enforcement of this ordinance may be accomplished through the issuance of a citation and is subject to the penalty provisions of Section 30.04 of this Code.
Full Breakdown
02(1)(d) defines "solid waste" broadly to include metals, plastics, glass, paper, fabrics, rubber, processed or manufactured wood products, refuse, filth, cigarette butts, weeds, sod, brush, bottles, cans, garbage, and other litter. 02(2)(a) makes it unlawful to deposit or discharge solid waste on or along any highway, in any waters of the county, on the ice of county waters, on other public property within the county, or on another person's private property within the county. 02(2)(b) separately bans permitting solid waste to be discharged or deposited from a vehicle a person operates or owns, covering trash that blows or spills from a truck bed or trailer.
02(3): placing waste in a receptacle designed for solid waste storage located along a highway or on public or private property is not a violation, and depositing waste in conformance with Wis. Stats. Chs. 30, 31, 281 to 285, or 289 to 299, or under a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources permit, license, or approval issued under those chapters, is also excused. 04. 50 justice information fee. 50 total for dumping garbage within a county park.
Violations & Fines
A § 9.02 citation carries a $50.00 deposit, totaling $200.50 with statutory fees, payable in lieu of a court appearance as a no-contest plea, or the citation can be contested in court. Dumping garbage specifically within a Dodge County park is charged separately under § 19.04(4)(b) at a higher $100.00 deposit, $263.50 total, rather than under § 9.02.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as illegal dumping in unincorporated Dodge County?
Can I get cited for trash blowing out of my truck?
What's the fine?
Are there exceptions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dodge County
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