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Washoe County, NV Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

County code
WCC 90.110
State statute
NRS 444.630
First offense
Misdemeanor
Repeat offense
Gross misdemeanor + jail
Extra penalty
Cleanup + 10 hrs community service

Summary

Dumping garbage, waste, or sewage on public or private land is illegal under both Washoe County Code (WCC 90.110) and Nevada law (NRS 444.630); a first offense is a misdemeanor, escalating to a gross misdemeanor with jail for repeat offenders.

City-specific rules exist: Reno has its own illegal dumping rules that differ from Washoe County's county-level regulations. If you live in Reno, check the city-specific page instead.

A person who places, deposits or dumps, or who causes to be placed, deposited or dumped ... any sewage, sludge, cesspool or septic tank effluent ... or any solid waste, in or upon any street, alley, public highway or road in common use, or upon any public park or other public property ... or upon any private property, is guilty of ... a misdemeanor.

Full Breakdown

WCC 90.110 makes it unlawful for any person to dump, spill, throw, place or bury any garbage, rubbish, waste matter, or deleterious or offensive substances in any land, lot, street, highway, gutter, alley, water, stream, canal or ditch within Washoe County. State law reinforces this: NRS 444.630(1) prohibits placing, depositing or dumping sewage, septic effluent, or solid waste on any street, public property, or private property. Penalties escalate - a first offense within two years is a misdemeanor, a second is a gross misdemeanor (14-364 days jail), and a third is a gross misdemeanor (364 days). NRS 444.555 further restricts unattended municipal disposal-site use to residents and non-commercial tourists (misdemeanor).

Violations & Fines

NRS 444.630(3) requires a convicted natural person to clean up the dump site and perform 10 hours of community service, plus any civil penalty under NRS 444.635, on top of the criminal penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the penalty for illegal dumping in Nevada?
Under NRS 444.630, a first offense in two years is a misdemeanor; a second is a gross misdemeanor with 14-364 days jail; a third is a gross misdemeanor with 364 days, plus cleanup and community service.
Does the county have its own dumping rule?
Yes. WCC 90.110 makes it unlawful to dump, spill, throw, place or bury any garbage, rubbish, waste, or deleterious substance anywhere in Washoe County.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washoe County

All Washoe County rules

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Illegal Dumping in Cities Across Washoe County