Howard County, IN Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

02 makes it unlawful for anyone to dump, or allow dumping, solid wastes including garbage, used household goods, appliances, junked vehicles, tires and construction or demolition debris, at any location in the county unless the site is a licensed sanitary landfill. Anyone with knowledge of a dumping incident must report it to a county law enforcement officer, the County Highway Department or the County Board of Health, which investigates and, on confirming a violation, orders the responsible party to remove and clean up the waste within ten days.

If the violator fails to comply, the Board of County Commissioners, Highway Department, Board of Health or Solid Waste District may clean the site itself and charge the cost to the violator, capped by ordinance at $2,500 per violation when pursued through the Howard Circuit or Superior Courts; multiple dumpers at one site share joint and several liability for those costs. 02 violation at up to $2,500, with fines and clean-up costs combined never exceeding that $2,500 ceiling per violation. 22): a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $2,500 for each offense, with every day a violation continues counted as a separate offense.

The County Recycling District's Compliance Officer, or another designated enforcement officer, including sheriff's deputies, may issue citations using the Uniform Traffic Citation form, and unpaid fines and abatement costs become a lien on the violator's property collected with property taxes. C. 36-1-6-9(e).