Long Beach, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- LBMC § 8.60.120
- Enforcing agency
- Director of Public Works / Code Enforcement
- Citation program
- Administrative citations, LBMC Ch. 9.65
- Late charge
- 25% of fine if unpaid after 30 days
- Permit consequence
- Refuse permit revocation for violators
Summary
Long Beach Municipal Code § 8.60.120 bans depositing waste on any public street, public place or private parcel to avoid disposal liability, and bans dumping in someone else's receptacle without written permission. Violators risk administrative citations and permit revocation, enforced by the Director of Public Works and Code Enforcement under Chapter 9.65.
8.60.120 - Illegal dumping prohibited—Permit revocation. A. No person shall transfer the financial liability for refuse disposal by depositing waste of any kind upon any public street, other public place or private parcel, lot, premises, litter receptacle or refuse receptacle thereon. B. No person shall deposit waste of any kind in the receptacle of, or on the premises of a business, residence or lot, which was not generated on those premises without first obtaining a written permit from the property owner or occupant who is liable for the refuse collection fees... D. Violation of this Section by the holder of any permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall be grounds for the revocation of such permit by the City.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
" It separately bars dumping waste in a business's or resident's receptacle that wasn't generated there without a written permit from the property owner, and for City-serviced accounts, without a written permit from the Director of Public Works. Litter receptacles placed on public property are limited to incidental litter from that facility's use, dumping unrelated refuse into them is also prohibited under Subsection C. 120(D) makes any violation by a refuse permit holder grounds for the City to revoke that permit outright. 111, separately bars sweeping, throwing or depositing refuse, litter or vegetation into any public right-of-way or the storm drain system.
060). Cited parties get 30 days to remedy the violation and pay the fine before late charges of 25 percent apply, and unpaid fines can become a special assessment lien against the property bearing 12 percent annual interest.
Violations & Fines
Each dumping incident is a separate administrative citation under Chapter 9.65, with escalating fines set by City Council resolution for first, second and subsequent violations of the same section within a year. Fines unpaid after 30 days draw a 25 percent late charge; continued nonpayment can result in a lien on the property at 12 percent annual interest or referral to Small Claims Court. A refuse permit holder who dumps illegally can have their City permit revoked under § 8.60.120(D).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited for dumping on private property I don't own?
What happens if I dump in a neighbor's trash can?
Does illegal dumping affect an existing City refuse permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle illegal dumping.