Manteca, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- MMC § 13.28.050
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, Penal Code § 19
- Exemption
- Waste in receptacles for collection
- City remedy
- Abatement plus property lien
Summary
Manteca bans dumping refuse, litter, or garbage on any public or private property, street, or storm drain as pollution; misdemeanor penalties and city abatement liens can follow, though waste in proper receptacles for collection is exempt.
No person shall throw, deposit, leave, maintain, keep or permit to be thrown, deposited, left or maintained in or upon any public or private property, driveway, parking area, street, alley, sidewalk, component of the MS4 system or water of the United States any refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter or other discarded or abandoned objects, articles and accumulations, so that the same may cause or contribute to pollution. Wastes deposited in streets in proper waste receptacles for the purposes of collection are exempted from this prohibition.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4829770; v11 updated 2026-04-21).
Full Breakdown
Manteca Municipal Code § 13.28.050 makes it unlawful to throw, deposit, leave, or maintain refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded or abandoned material on any public or private property, driveway, parking area, street, alley, sidewalk, storm drain component, or waterway where it may cause or contribute to pollution. The only exemption is waste placed in proper receptacles for scheduled collection. A violation is a misdemeanor under Penal Code § 19 per § 13.28.200, and the public works director can order abatement, bill the responsible party for cleanup, and record a lien against the property under §§ 13.28.170-13.28.180.
Violations & Fines
Illegal dumping is a misdemeanor punishable under Penal Code § 19; the city can additionally order abatement at the violator's expense, bill administrative and cleanup costs, and place a lien on the property if unpaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping trash on a vacant lot illegal in Manteca?
What happens if I don't clean up an illegal dump site?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manteca
California rules heatmap·Compare Manteca to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle illegal dumping.