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

Sec. 90-102 is a flat, outright ban: except where the chapter allows it elsewhere, it is unlawful to deposit or dump garbage, trash or any other solid waste on any vacant, occupied or unoccupied premises, on any street, alley, parkway or park, or in any canal, waterway, bay, ocean, pool or lake within city limits. It reaches both private and public land and extends specifically to the city's waterways, reflecting the barrier-island geography. Enforcement runs through Sec. 90-36: a designated code inspector can enter a property, and the presence of dumped solid waste is treated as prima facie evidence it was placed there by the occupant, owner, operator or manager.

Under the fine schedule in Sec. 00 for a second or subsequent offense. If the violation is not corrected after notice, Sec. 90-37 lets the city remove the waste itself and charge the actual removal cost to the responsible party on top of the fine; unpaid costs and fines become a special assessment lien on the property, ranking equal to ad valorem tax liens. A cited party has 15 days from the notice to pay or request a hearing before a special magistrate under Sec. 90-38; missing that window waives the right to a hearing and is treated as an admission of the violation.