Dorchester County, SC Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Dorchester County Code § 34-110
- Small-amount penalty
- $100-$200 fine, up to 30 days
- Large-amount penalty
- $500-$1,000 fine, up to 1 year
- Repeat offense
- Extra 20 hours community service
- Vehicle forfeiture
- Above 500 lbs or 100 cubic feet
- Adopted
- Ordinance No. 13-04, March 4, 2013
Summary
Dorchester County bans dumping litter or solid waste on public or private property and waters outside a designated disposal site. Section 34-110 scales the misdemeanor penalty to the amount dumped, from a $100 to $200 fine for small amounts up to $500 to $1,000 and a year in jail for large-scale dumping.
(a)No person may dump, throw, drop, deposit, discard or otherwise dispose of litter or other solid waste upon any public or private property or waters in the county whether from a vehicle or otherwise, including, but not limited to, a public highway, public park, campground, forest land, recreational area, road, street or alley except as follows:(1)When the property is designated by the state or county or any of its agencies or political subdivisions for the disposal of litter and other solid waste and it is authorized by the proper public authority to use the property for that purpose ... (d)A person who violates the provisions of this section in an amount less than 15 pounds in weight or 27 cubic feet in volume is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be fined not less than $100.00 dollars nor more than $200.00 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days for each offense, or both. ... (k)Any person who violates the provisions of this section in an amount exceeding 500 pounds in weight or 100 cubic feet in volume is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, must be fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
Full Breakdown
Section 34-110, enacted by Ordinance No. 13-04 on March 4, 2013, prohibits dumping, throwing, dropping, depositing, discarding or otherwise disposing of litter or solid waste on any public or private property or waters in the county, including highways, parks, campgrounds, forest land, recreational areas, roads, streets and alleys. The only exceptions are property the state or county has designated for litter disposal where use is authorized, or placing litter into an installed receptacle in a way that keeps it from blowing away. The penalty scales with the amount dumped.
00, up to 30 days in jail, or both, plus a court-ordered minimum of five hours of litter-gathering labor or public service. 00 and up to 90 days in jail. 00, up to one year in jail, or both, plus a court order to remove the waste, repair any property damage, or perform community service. A second or subsequent conviction under subsections (d) or (e) adds a mandatory minimum 20 hours of community service under subsection (g). Subsection (m) allows the vehicle, vessel or machine used to dump more than 500 pounds or 100 cubic feet to be seized and forfeited to the county, and subsection (o) bars a court from suspending any part of the fine.
Violations & Fines
Penalties rise with the amount dumped: $100 to $200 and up to 30 days in jail under 15 pounds or 27 cubic feet; $200 to $500 and up to 90 days for larger amounts up to 500 pounds or 100 cubic feet; and $500 to $1,000 with up to a year in jail above that, plus mandatory litter-removal labor and possible vehicle forfeiture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for illegal dumping in Dorchester County?
Can my vehicle be seized for illegal dumping?
Does repeat dumping carry a harsher penalty?
Where am I allowed to leave litter legally in the county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dorchester County
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