Madera County, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Offense
- Infraction to dump
- Liability
- Full cleanup cost billed
- Payment deadline
- 30 days from bill
- Late penalty
- 10% plus 0.5%/month interest
- Coverage
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Dumping solid waste, organic waste, or other regulated materials anywhere but a designated facility in unincorporated Madera County is an infraction, and violators are billed for full cleanup costs plus penalties.
It is unlawful and an infraction for any person or persons to place, deposit or dump or cause to be placed, deposited or dumped upon the right-of-way of any public highway, street, thoroughfare or upon any camping place or public grounds or on any premises or into any lake, stream, canal, irrigation ditch, waterway, dry water course or any other body of water within the unincorporated areas of the county, any solid waste, source separated organic waste, bulky waste, construction and demolition waste, designated waste, hazardous waste, liquid waste, medical waste, qualified household hazardous waste, recyclable materials, scrap materials, self-hauled waste, or yard waste as defined in this chapter, except at applicable designated disposal facilities or designated recycling facilities.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Under §7.24.131, it's unlawful and an infraction to dump solid waste, hazardous waste, recyclables, yard waste, or other regulated materials on public rights-of-way, camping areas, public grounds, private property without the owner's consent, or into any lake, stream, canal, ditch, or waterway in the unincorporated county: except at a designated disposal or recycling facility. Anyone who dumps is liable for the full cost of cleanup; if they don't remove it after notice, the code enforcement officer can clean it up and bill the responsible party, due within 30 days. Unpaid bills accrue a 10% delinquency penalty plus 0.5% monthly interest.
Violations & Fines
Unlawful dumping is an infraction; violators are billed for all cleanup/removal costs, with a 10% delinquency penalty and 0.5%-per-month interest on unpaid bills, per §7.24.131.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I illegally dump trash in unincorporated Madera County?
Is there a penalty for not paying the cleanup bill?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
California rules heatmap·Compare Madera County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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