Nassau County, NY Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- county-owned parks, beaches, land
- Litter under 10 lbs
- $250 to $5,000 fine
- Dumping 10+ lbs
- up to $10,000, 15 days jail
- Medical/infectious waste
- up to $10,000 fine, misdemeanor
- Repeat offense
- penalties increase within 5 years
Summary
Dumping refuse or waste weighing 10 pounds or more on any county-owned property is a misdemeanor in Nassau County, punishable by fines up to $10,000 and 15 days in jail, with steeper penalties for repeat offenders within five years.
It shall be a violation of this chapter punishable by civil fine or as a misdemeanor for any person to dump or in any other manner place or deposit refuse or waste with a gross weight of ten or more pounds upon or within any county property, or to induce another person to dump or deposit such refuse or waste, except where a specific permit and/or authorization has been issued by the department or office having jurisdiction thereof.
d. It shall be a violation of this chapter punishable by civil fine or as a misdemeanor for any person to willfully discharge any waste or other material into, within or upon any county property that is a drain, sewage receptacle, storm water conduit, storm water basin or other part of a drainage or sewage system, or to induce another person to willfully discharge such waste or other material into such a system, without prior permission or authorization by the department or office having jurisdiction thereof except as otherwise provided by law.
Full Breakdown
Administrative Code Chapter XI-A bans dumping on any land Nassau County owns, leases or manages: parks, beaches, Mitchel Field, Nassau Community College. Leaving litter or waste under 10 pounds outside a receptacle is a violation carrying fines from $250 to $5,000, rising to $1,000-$5,000 on a third offense within five years. Dumping 10 or more pounds of refuse, or any medical or infectious waste, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $10,000 in fines plus 15 days in jail, doubling on repeat violations within five years. The County Attorney can also sue for cleanup costs and civil penalties. Nassau Community College Security Force and authorized county personnel enforce the chapter.
Violations & Fines
Fines from $250 up to $10,000 depending on the violation, plus up to 15 days in jail for misdemeanor-level dumping (10+ lbs, or medical/infectious waste); penalties increase on repeat offenses within five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover dumping on my own property?
What's the penalty for a small amount of litter?
Who enforces this law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nassau County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Nassau County to another location·View the New York trash & recycling overview
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