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Marion County, OR Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

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

Key Facts

County code
MCC 8.05.160 and 8.10.070
State littering
ORS 164.785, Class C misdemeanor
Near waters
ORS 164.775, Class B misdemeanor
Legal disposal
DEQ-approved sites only
Report to
Marion County Public Works / DEQ

Summary

Dumping solid waste on any public or private land, or into ditches and waterways, is unlawful in Marion County under MCC 8.05.160 and the county nuisance code, and is a crime statewide under Oregon's offensive-littering law (ORS 164.785, a Class C misdemeanor). Report dumpsites to Marion County Public Works.

City-specific rules exist: Salem has its own illegal dumping rules that differ from Marion County's county-level regulations. If you live in Salem, check the city-specific page instead.

It shall be unlawful for any person to sort, scatter, dump, deposit, or cause to be deposited any solid waste along the bank of or in any canal, ditch, creek, or river, or in any street, alley, road, or park, or on any lot, place, or premises in the county, whether public or private.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 1489, passed April 15, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Illegal dumping is prohibited at both county and state levels. Marion County Code 8.05.160 makes it unlawful for any person to sort, scatter, dump, or deposit solid waste along a canal, ditch, creek, or river, or in any street, road, park, lot, or premises in the county, whether public or private; waste may go only to DEQ-approved sites. MCC 8.10.070 separately bars unauthorized disposal of solid waste anywhere but a permitted disposal site. Statewide, ORS 164.785 makes offensive littering a Class C misdemeanor, and ORS 164.775 makes discarding trash within 100 yards of state waters a Class B misdemeanor. Oregon DEQ and Marion County Public Works investigate illegal-dumping complaints.

Violations & Fines

Offensive littering is a Class C misdemeanor (ORS 164.785); dumping near waters is a Class B misdemeanor (ORS 164.775); county code violations are enforced under MCC 8.05 and can be abated at the offender's cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the penalty for illegal dumping in Oregon?
Offensive littering is a Class C misdemeanor under ORS 164.785; dumping trash within 100 yards of state waters is a Class B misdemeanor under ORS 164.775, plus possible county penalties.
Is dumping into a ditch a violation in Marion County?
Yes. MCC 8.05.160 makes it unlawful to dump solid waste along any canal, ditch, creek, or river, or on any public or private property in the county.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Marion County

Bulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All Marion County rules

Compare Marion County to another location·View the Oregon trash & recycling overview

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Illegal Dumping in Cities Across Marion County

Salem, OR