Franklin County, FL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- First offense
- $100.00/day civil infraction (5 days), then $250.00/day
- Third offense
- Second-degree misdemeanor
- Fifth+ offense
- Third-degree felony
- Large-dump felony
- Over 500 lb / 200 cu ft = felony
- Civil damages
- Threefold damages or $200.00, plus fees
Summary
Franklin County's litter control article bans dumping litter or solid waste on beaches, roads, waterways and private property, with escalating penalties from a $100-a-day civil fine on a first offense up to a third-degree felony for a fifth violation or for dumping over 500 pounds.
Unless otherwise authorized by law or permit, it is prohibited for any person to dump litter or solid waste in any manner or amount; to wit:(1)In or on any beach, public highway, road, street, alley, or thoroughfare, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof, or any other public lands, except in containers or areas lawfully provided therefor. ... (b)Any person who violates any provision of this article for the first time is guilty of a noncriminal infraction, punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per day for the first five (5) days of the violation, plus court costs. Thereafter, the daily fine increases to two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per day, plus court costs. ... (f)A person who violates any provision of this article a fifth, or subsequent, time is guilty of a third degree felony, punishable as provided in F.S. §§ 775.082 or 775.083.
Full Breakdown
Franklin County Code § 13-64 prohibits dumping litter or solid waste, unless authorized by law or permit, on any beach, public highway, road, street, alley or right-of-way except in lawfully provided containers; in any freshwater lake, river, stream, or tidal or coastal water including the bay or gulf; or on private property without the owner's prior consent where it would cause a nuisance or health hazard. When litter is thrown from a motor vehicle or vessel, the operator or owner is deemed in violation. Yard trash placed by the landowner on the originating property is excluded from 'litter' so long as a lot has no more than one pile, capped at four feet wide by eight feet long by four feet high, with limbs and branches no thicker than four inches or longer than six feet; exceeding those limits turns the whole pile into litter subject to penalty.
083. Dumping raw human waste from a commercial vehicle, or dumping more than 500 pounds or 200 cubic feet of litter in a single act, is a third-degree felony regardless of offense count. 00, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees, to any injured party, and can require removal, restoration or community service.
Violations & Fines
Dumping litter or solid waste in violation of § 13-64 starts as a noncriminal infraction punishable by $100.00 per day (rising to $250.00 after five days) for a first offense, escalates to a second-degree misdemeanor on a third offense and a third-degree felony on a fifth offense, with a third-degree felony immediately for dumping over 500 pounds or 200 cubic feet or dumping raw human waste from a commercial vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for illegal dumping in Franklin County?
Is dumping a large amount of trash a felony in Franklin County?
Can I leave a yard debris pile at the curb without it counting as litter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Franklin County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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