Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Imperial County, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

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

Key Facts

First offense
Infraction, fine up to $250
Repeat offense
Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine
Max jail time
6 months county jail
Enforced by
County health officer/designee
Applies to
Unincorporated Imperial County only

Summary

Dumping waste on public or private property in unincorporated Imperial County without legal permission is an infraction carrying up to a $250 fine; a second offense is a misdemeanor with jail time.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Imperial County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Any person who causes or permits the dumping of waste on right-of-way of any public highway, street, easement or thoroughfare, or upon any public park, private property, or on any premises, or in any container, without legal permission; or who causes, maintains or permits the accumulation of waste which creates an unsanitary condition or permits or encourages the accumulation or breeding of vectors, is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine of not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). A second or subsequent violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in county jail for not more than six months and by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).C.The court may require, in addition to any fine imposed upon a conviction, that, as a condition of probation and in addition to any other condition of probation, a person convicted under this section remove, or pay the cost of removing, any waste matter which the convicted person dumped or caused to be dumped upon public or private property.D.Except when the court requires the convicted person to remove waste matter which he or she is responsible for dumping as a condition of probation, the court may, in addition to the fine imposed upon a conviction, require as a condition of probation, in addition to any other condition of probation, that the person perform community service. (Ord. 1436 § 1 (part), 2008)

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 62 - 9-25).

Full Breakdown

Imperial County Code § 8.73.030 makes it unlawful to dump waste anywhere other than a permitted facility or property designated to receive it. A first violation is an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $250. A second or later violation within the code becomes a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in county jail plus a fine of $500 to $1,000. Courts may also order the violator to remove the dumped waste, pay removal costs, or perform community service as a condition of probation. The county health officer and designees are authorized to issue citations under § 8.73.040.

Violations & Fines

First offense: infraction, fine up to $250. Second or subsequent offense: misdemeanor, up to 6 months county jail and a $500-$1,000 fine, plus possible removal/cleanup costs or community service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fine for illegal dumping in Imperial County?
A first violation is an infraction with a fine up to $250. A second or later violation is a misdemeanor with a $500-$1,000 fine and up to six months in county jail.
Who enforces illegal dumping rules in Imperial County?
The county health officer and any qualified designee are designated illegal dumping enforcement officers authorized to issue citations under § 8.73.030.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Imperial County

All Imperial County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview

Get notified when Illegal Dumping in Imperial County, CA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.