Montgomery County, MD Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Montgomery County Code § 48-11
- Civil fine
- $500 first offense, $1,000 after
- Max criminal penalty
- 5 years, $30,000 fine
- Small-amount threshold
- 100 lbs or 27 cubic feet
- Court can also order
- Cleanup, restitution, public service
Summary
Dumping garbage or solid waste anywhere but an approved site is a misdemeanor in Montgomery County, with fines up to $30,000 and five years for large or for-profit dumping.
A person must not: ... dispose of, or cause or allow the disposal of, garbage or other solid waste on public or private property unless: (i) the property is designated by the State ... for the disposal of garbage or other solid waste and the person is authorized ... or (ii) the garbage or other solid waste is placed into a garbage or solid waste receptacle or container on the property. ... Penalty. A person who violates this Section is subject to the following penalties: (1) a maximum civil fine of $500 for a first offense, and $1,000 for subsequent offenses; or (2) a criminal penalty as follows...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Montgomery County Code Section 48-11 bans disposing of garbage or solid waste on public or private property unless it goes into an approved receptacle or a state-designated disposal site. A first civil offense draws up to a $500 fine ($1,000 after that), but the County can instead pursue it criminally: up to 30 days and $1,500 for small amounts, up to a year and $12,500 for 100-500 pounds, and up to five years and $30,000 for anything over 500 pounds or any amount dumped for commercial gain. Courts can also order the violator to remove the waste, repair damaged property, or perform cleanup service.
Violations & Fines
Civil fine to $1,000, or misdemeanor up to 5 years and $30,000 for large-scale or commercial dumping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Montgomery County force me to clean up illegal dumping?
Does the penalty depend on how much waste was dumped?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland trash & recycling overview
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