Fort Wayne, IN Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- First violation
- $500 to $2,500 fine
- Repeat violation
- flat $2,500 fine
- Ongoing violation
- each day a separate offense
- Whistleblower reward
- up to 50% of fines
- Enforcing agency
- Solid Waste Manager
Summary
Fort Wayne bans dumping dirt, debris, trash, or waste on any street, lot, park, or public or private property, with fines up to $2,500 per violation under City Code § 50.19.
Any person violating § 50.19 shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $2,500 for the first violation and $2,500 for each subsequent violation. Each day the violation occurs or continues to exist shall constitute a separate offense. All fines and costs collected by the city pursuant to this subchapter shall be placed in the Solid Waste Fund. Any person who provides evidence leading to the successful conviction of any person under this subchapter may be entitled to an equal portion of 50% of the fines collected from such person, firm, corporation or other legal entity. No city, county, state or federal employee or their immediate family members shall be eligible to receive a reward pursuant to this program. (Ord. G-15-90, passed 7-10-90; Am. Ord. G-04-02, passed 2-12-02; Am. Ord. G-38-
07, passed 12-18- 07; Am. Ord. G-18-26, passed 7-14-26) ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY for Enforcing Chapter 50: Garbage and Refuse and Enforcement Procedures October 1, 1996
The purpose of Chapter 50: Garbage and Refuse is to control the disposal of waste to limit unsightly storage that blights neighborhoods and to prevent sources of habitation and food for vectors, rodents, and other vermin that present a hazard to the public health. To this end, enforcing departments shall attempt to gain voluntary compliance with the requirements of Chapter 50: Garbage and Refuse, and will issue tickets when necessary to attain compliance. The authority for enforcing §§
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Fort Wayne's Code of Ordinances § 50.19 prohibits dumping dirt, sand, gravel, rubbish, household waste, garbage, ashes, manure, or any organic or non-organic material on any street, lot, park, or other public or private area. The Solid Waste Manager enforces the ban citywide. Under § 50.99(G), a first violation carries a fine of $500 to $2,500, and every subsequent violation is a flat $2,500; each day the dumping remains constitutes a separate offense. Fines go into the Solid Waste Fund, and anyone who supplies evidence leading to a conviction can collect half the fines from that violator, though city, county, state, or federal employees and their immediate families are barred from that reward.
Violations & Fines
First offense: $500-$2,500 fine. Each repeat violation: flat $2,500. Every day the dumping remains is a separate offense, enforced by the Solid Waste Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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