Jefferson County, WI Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered conduct
- Waste stored/disposed contrary to NR 500
- Classified as
- Public nuisance, county-wide
- Penalty range
- $50-$500 forfeiture per offense
- Abatement deadline
- 24 hours to 30+ days
- Nonpayment consequence
- Jail up to 90 days
Summary
Jefferson County treats improperly stored or disposed-of solid waste as a public nuisance under Code § 18-72(4), and anyone who dumps or stores waste out of compliance with the state solid-waste rules faces a forfeiture of $50 to $500 per offense under § 18-76, plus court costs and possible jail time for nonpayment.
(4)Solid waste. Any solid waste which is stored or disposed of in noncompliance with Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 500. ... All violations of this article shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 per offense, together with applicable surcharges and penalty assessment and the taxable costs of prosecution. The court may also grant injunctive relief. Failure to comply with an order of abatement issued under this article shall constitute a violation of this article, and each day of continued violation shall constitute a separate offense. Failure to pay any penalties imposed by the court in accordance with this article may result in imprisonment in the county jail until payment is made but not to exceed 90 days.
Full Breakdown
Section 18-72 lists "public nuisances" that Article III, Health Nuisances, prohibits outright ("Public nuisances are prohibited in the county"), and item (4) squarely covers illegal dumping: "Solid waste. Any solid waste which is stored or disposed of in noncompliance with Wis. Admin. Code ch. " That clause folds the state's solid-waste management rules into the county's own nuisance ordinance, so dumping trash, construction debris or other solid waste anywhere it is not permitted under NR 500 is a county code violation, not only a state one.
The same section also reaches related dumping-adjacent conduct: unburied animal carcasses (item 1), accumulations that attract vermin (item 5) and outdoor storage of more than two inoperable or unlicensed vehicles per lot (item 10). The health officer or a designated representative investigates reported nuisances under § 18-74 and can issue a written abatement order under § 18-75 specifying how long the violator has to clean up, from 24 hours up to 30 days or more depending on the nature of the nuisance, before pursuing a citation or court action.
00 per offense," plus surcharges, penalty assessment and the taxable costs of prosecution, with the court also able to grant injunctive relief. Each day a violator fails to comply with an abatement order counts as a separate offense, and unpaid penalties can mean jail time in the county jail, capped at 90 days.
Violations & Fines
Illegally dumped or stored solid waste is a public nuisance under § 18-72(4), enforced through § 18-76's forfeiture of $50.00 to $500.00 per offense plus surcharges and costs of prosecution. Each day a person fails to comply with a written abatement order under § 18-75 is treated as a separate offense, and unpaid forfeitures can lead to jail time of up to 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is illegal dumping a violation of Jefferson County's code?
What is the fine for illegal dumping in unincorporated Jefferson County?
How much time do I get to clean up dumped waste before a citation?
What happens if I never pay the illegal dumping fine?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
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