Erie, PA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Codified Ordinances Article 1129, QOL-3 and QOL-6
- First-offense fine
- $100 per QOL ticket
- Escalated citation fine
- $300 to $1,000, or 90 days jail
- Burden of proof
- owner must show proof of legal disposal on request
- Unlicensed hauler use
- itself a separate QOL-6 violation
- Site-specific ban
- Project 70 Site #6 dumping, $100-$1,000 fine (§ 957.02)
Summary
Dumping rubbish, garbage or waste on private, vacant or public property in Erie is a $100 Quality-of-Life ticket under Article 1129, and anyone who can't prove they used a licensed hauler is presumed responsible for the illegal disposal too. Ignore the ticket and the case escalates to a citation worth $300 to $1,000.
QOL-3. Disposal of Rubbish or Garbage/Dumping. Improper or unauthorized disposal of rubbish or garbage or dumping or disposing of rubbish or garbage on private, vacant, unoccupied, or other property. ... QOL-6. Ownership Presumption of Waste, Trash and/or Recyclables for Illegal Dumping/Hauling. ... Any person or business who is unable to show proof that they have legally disposed of any waste, trash, or recyclables will be in violation of this Part. Should any person or business use an unlicensed hauler to dispose of their waste, trash, or recyclables, said person or business shall be in violation of this Part.
Full Breakdown
Article 1129 addresses illegal dumping through two numbered violations. QOL-3 bans improper or unauthorized disposal of rubbish or garbage, or dumping or disposing of it, on private, vacant, unoccupied or other property. QOL-6 goes further: every owner or occupant of land is responsible for disposing of their waste, trash or recyclables properly, and any waste found in a container or loose bag displaying a person's name or address is presumed to belong to them. A person or business unable to show proof of legal disposal on request is in violation, and using an unlicensed hauler is a separate violation in itself.
07. 02: placing, dumping or storing waste material at the City-owned 58-acre parcel near East 26th and McClelland Avenue, known as Project 70 Site #6, is separately prohibited, with a penalty of $100 to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail, where both a fine and imprisonment can be imposed together.
Violations & Fines
A first offense under QOL-3 or QOL-6 draws a $100 ticket, but ignoring it for more than 10 days sends the case to a Magisterial District Judge under § 1129.10, where the fine jumps to $300 to $1,000 per offense, or up to 90 days in jail, plus restitution and the City's cleanup costs and attorney's fees. Dumping specifically at the former Project 70 Site #6 is a separate violation carrying its own $100 to $1,000 fine under § 957.02.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping trash on someone else's property illegal in Erie?
Can I be blamed for dumping if my name is on the trash?
What if I ignore an illegal dumping ticket?
Is there a special rule for dumping at Project 70 Site #6?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Erie
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