Multnomah County, OR Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Fine range
- $500 to $999 per violation
- Plus
- cost of cleanup and disposal
- Governing section
- MCC § 21.702
- Coverage area
- unincorporated county only
- Enforcement
- county hearings officer
Summary
Dumping trash, garbage or debris on public or private land without permission in unincorporated Multnomah County draws a civil fine of $500 to $999 per violation, plus cleanup costs.
No person, firm or corporation shall throw or place ... other than in receptacles provided therefor, upon the private land or waters of another person, firm or corporation without the permission of the owner, or upon public lands or waters, or upon any public place, any rubbish, trash, garbage, debris or other refuse or recyclable material. ... Any person, firm or corporation violating § 21.702 shall be subject to the following: 1. A civil fine of not less than $500 and no more than $999 for each violation; and 2. An award of costs to reimburse the county for the actual expenses of cleanup and disposal caused by the violation.
Full Breakdown
County Code § 21.702 bars throwing or placing rubbish, trash, garbage, debris or other refuse or recyclable material, outside a proper receptacle, on another person's land or water without permission, or on any public land, water or place. Violators face a civil fine of not less than $500 and no more than $999 per violation under § 21.999(C)(2)(a), plus an award of costs to reimburse the county for its actual cleanup and disposal expenses. The county can prosecute before a hearings officer or as a criminal or civil offense where state law allows. This subchapter applies only to unincorporated Multnomah County, Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village enforce dumping and litter rules under their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Civil fine of $500-$999 per violation plus cleanup/disposal costs; prosecutable before a hearings officer or as a criminal or civil offense under state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Portland?
What can I be fined for under the dumping law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon trash & recycling overview
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