Fall River, MA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited act
- Dumping litter on vacant/open property
- Applies to
- Anyone, not just the owner
- Civil penalty
- $300 per violation
- Citation
- Fall River Code § 26-41
Summary
Fall River bans dumping litter on any open or vacant private lot within city limits, whether you own it or not, with a $300 civil penalty per violation.
No person shall throw or deposit litter on any open or vacant private property within the City, whether owned by such person or not.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4739915; v14 updated 2025-12-23; through 12-23-2025).
Full Breakdown
Section 26-41 of Fall River's litter article makes it unlawful to throw or deposit litter, trash, debris, yard waste, or other refuse, on any open or vacant private property in the city, regardless of who owns it. The prohibition sits alongside § 26-40's vacant-lot upkeep duty but targets anyone doing the dumping, not just the property's owner. Violations draw a $300 civil penalty per offense under § 26-43, with two-thirds of every fine directed to the Fall River Police Department.
Violations & Fines
Depositing litter on vacant or open private property under § 26-41 draws a $300 civil fine per violation, assessed under § 26-43.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to dump trash on an empty lot in Fall River?
What's the fine for illegal dumping in Fall River?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fall River
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle illegal dumping.