Suffolk County, NY Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Suffolk County Code § 433-1, § 433-2
- General waste fine
- Up to $5,000 individual, $15,000 corporation
- Debris/hazmat fine
- Up to $15,000 individual, $25,000 corporation
- Jail exposure
- Up to one year imprisonment
- Cleanup deadline
- 10 days after conviction
Summary
Dumping waste, debris, or hazardous materials on Suffolk County highways, rights-of-way, or county-owned land is a misdemeanor carrying fines up to $25,000 and up to a year in jail.
A violation of the provision of § 433-1 of this article for materials other than construction or demolition debris, hazardous materials or hazardous waste shall be punishable as an unclassified misdemeanor, subject to a fine not to exceed $5,000 when a violation is committed by an individual and $15,000 when a violation is committed by a corporation, and/or up to one year's imprisonment. [Amended 3-5-2024 by L.L. No. 13-2024]
B. A violation of the provision of § 433-1 of this article for construction or demolition debris, hazardous materials or hazardous waste shall be punishable as an unclassified misdemeanor, subject to a fine not to exceed $15,000 when the violation is committed by an individual and $25,000 when a violation is committed by a corporation and/or up to one year's imprisonment for each offense. [Amended 3-5-2024 by L.L. No. 13-2024]
C. Any individual, other than a police officer, peace officer or any other law enforcement officer or official, who provides information to appropriate law enforcement authorities which shall lead to the detection, arrest and conviction of a person or persons guilty of violating this article shall receive a payment of 33% of the actual fine collected from such convicted individual pursuant to the provisions of this article, said payment to be made after receipt of such fine by the County. [Amended 3-5-2024 by L.L. No. 13-2024]
D.
Full Breakdown
Suffolk County Code § 433-1 bars dumping dirt, rubbish, household or trade waste, manure, garbage, solid waste, construction/demolition debris, or hazardous materials on any county highway, road right-of-way, or county-owned land without written county consent. Under § 433-2, ordinary waste violations are unclassified misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $5,000 for an individual or $15,000 for a corporation, plus up to a year in jail; construction/demolition debris and hazardous materials draw fines up to $15,000 (individual) or $25,000 (corporation). Convicted offenders must also clear and clean the dumped area within 10 days or the County bills them for the cleanup.
Violations & Fines
Fines of $5,000-$15,000 for general waste, $15,000-$25,000 for construction debris or hazardous materials, plus up to one year imprisonment; offenders must clean up the site within 10 days after conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Suffolk County's dumping law cover private property?
What's the maximum penalty for illegal dumping in Suffolk County?
Can my vehicle be impounded for illegal dumping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Suffolk County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Suffolk County to another location·View the New York trash & recycling overview
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