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Palm Beach County, FL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

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

Key Facts

Prohibited act
Dumping, placing, or burying waste
Covers
Any land or water in county
Civil penalty
Up to $500 per day
Enforcement body
Environmental Control Hearing Board
Governing ordinance
Waste Control Ordinance, §§ 11-56–65

Summary

Dumping, burying, or placing waste on any land or water in the county is illegal under the county's Waste Control Ordinance, with civil penalties up to $500 per violation per day.

City-specific rules exist: Jupiter, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Boynton Beach have their own illegal dumping rules that differ from Palm Beach County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

It is unlawful and shall constitute willful causing of pollution for any person to dump, or cause or allow to be dumped; or place, or cause to allow to be placed; or bury, or cause or allow to be buried any waste upon any land, or any water located in the county.

Full Breakdown

Palm Beach County's Waste Control Ordinance bans dumping, burying, or placing any waste, garbage, rubbish, industrial waste, or debris, on land or water anywhere in the county. Violations go before the county's Environmental Control Hearing Board, which can order cleanup or removal at the violator's expense and impose a civil penalty of up to $500 per day for each violation. If penalties go unpaid or a violation threatens health or the environment, the county's environmental control officer can seek an injunction in circuit court. Agricultural waste stored and disposed of on agriculturally zoned land, and consented clean-fill activities with prior notice to the health department, are exempted.

Violations & Fines

Civil penalty up to $500 per day per violation, ordered by the Environmental Control Hearing Board; unpaid penalties or emergency violations can bring a circuit court injunction under §§ 11-63–65.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this rule apply everywhere in Palm Beach County?
It applies in unincorporated Palm Beach County and, to the extent state law allows, within incorporated areas; cities like Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach enforce their own separate dumping ordinances.
What happens if a violator doesn't pay the fine?
The county's environmental control officer can go to circuit court for an injunction, and the hearing board can still require cleanup or reimbursement for waste removal costs.
Is farm waste or clean fill exempt?
Yes. On-site agricultural waste on agriculturally zoned land, approved soil/mulch amendments, and consented clean-fill placement with prior health department notice are exempt under § 11-60.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Palm Beach County

All Palm Beach County rules

Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview

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