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Fulton County, GA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Max fine
$500 per violation
Repeat violations
Each day is a separate offense
Court
Environmental or Magistrate Court
Scope
Unincorporated Fulton County only

Summary

Dumping solid waste on public rights-of-way, parks, or facilities in unincorporated Fulton County violates the solid waste code and can draw a $500 fine for every day the violation continues.

City-specific rules exist: Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Atlanta have their own illegal dumping rules that differ from Fulton County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

It shall be a violation of this division to dispose of any solid waste by illegal dumping on public rights-of-way, public parks or any public facilities in unincorporated Fulton County. ... Any person violating any provision of this division may be fined up to $500.00 per violation after a hearing in the Fulton County Environmental Court or Magistrate Court. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 57).

Full Breakdown

Fulton County Code § 70-84(a)(6) makes it a violation to dispose of solid waste by illegal dumping on public rights-of-way, public parks, or any public facility in unincorporated Fulton County. Section 70-81 defines illegal dumping as disposing of solid waste in any manner not authorized by this division, state law, or federal regulations. Under § 70-89(a), anyone who violates the solid waste division, including this dumping ban, can be fined up to $500 per violation after a hearing in Fulton County Environmental Court or Magistrate Court, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense.

Violations & Fines

Fines run up to $500 per violation, with each day of continued dumping counted as a separate offense; the county can also recover cleanup costs and place a lien on the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this dumping ban cover Atlanta or South Fulton?
No: it applies only to unincorporated Fulton County. Atlanta, South Fulton, Sandy Springs and the county's other cities enforce their own illegal-dumping ordinances.
Who enforces the illegal dumping ban?
The Fulton County Department of Public Works reports violations, and cases are heard in Fulton County Environmental Court or Magistrate Court under § 70-89.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fulton County

All Fulton County rules

Compare Fulton County to another location·View the Georgia trash & recycling overview

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Illegal Dumping in Cities Across Fulton County