Illegal dumping of trash, debris, tires, or yard waste on public or private property in Fairfax City is prohibited and prosecuted under both city code and Virginia Code section 33.2-802. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges, significant fines, restitution for cleanup, and in some cases impoundment of the vehicle used. Fairfax enforces through Code Administration and the Police Department.
Illegal dumping is addressed at two levels. Under VA Code §33.2-802 and §18.2-324, throwing or dumping trash, garbage, construction debris, or other refuse on public highways, public property, or private property without the owner's consent is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to twelve months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and mandatory community service to clean up litter. The court may also order restitution for cleanup costs and, under certain circumstances, impound the vehicle used in the offense. The City of Fairfax supplements state law through municipal code provisions authorizing Code Administration to issue civil violations for accumulation of trash, debris, appliances, and yard waste on private property. Property owners are responsible for keeping their property free of dumped material and may be billed for cleanup if they fail to abate after notice. Common enforcement triggers include contractors dumping construction debris, tenants leaving furniture on curbs between collection days, and after-hours dumping in retail parking lots. Residents who witness dumping can report with vehicle descriptions and photos to the Fairfax City Police non-emergency line or the city's online reporting portal. The city coordinates with Fairfax County and VDOT for dumping that crosses jurisdictional boundaries.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Fairfax County handle illegal dumping.
See how Fairfax's illegal dumping rules stack up against other locations.
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