Miami, FL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Individual fine
- $500 per occurrence
- Vehicle-based fine
- $1,050 per occurrence
- Enforced by
- city sanitation/litter enforcement officers
- Also covered by
- Sec. 22-11 right-of-way dumping
Summary
Miami issues civil fines of $500 per occurrence for illegal dumping by individuals and $1,050 per occurrence when dumping is done from a vehicle, on top of separate right-of-way dumping penalties under Sec. 22-11.
(m)A civil fine of $500.00 per occurrence shall be imposed for littering and for illegal dumping by individuals and a fine of $1,050.00 per occurrence for littering and for illegal dumping when being done using a private vehicle.(n)Pursuant to the provisions of § 403.413, Fla. Stat., the Florida Litter Law, the sanitation inspectors are designated as litter enforcement officers of the city, for the purposes of enforcing F.S. § 403.413, and section 22-6 herein. Such employees are designated and appointed as litter enforcement officers. (Ord. No. 10128, § 1, 7-10-86; Code 1980, § 22-6; Ord. No. 11703, § 6, 9-28-98; Ord. No. 11837, § 2, 9-28-99; Ord. No. 12258, § 2, 7-25-02; Ord. No. 12835, § 2, 10-12-06; Ord. No. 13194, § 2, 9-27-10; Ord. No. 13693, § 2, 7-13-17; Ord. No. 13889, § 2, 1-23-20)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 | Ordinance 11000 (Previous Zoning Code): Supplement 22 | Miami 21 (Zoning Code): ?).
Full Breakdown
Miami's Code declares illegal dumping and littering a public nuisance and empowers sanitation inspectors as litter enforcement officers under Sec. 22-6. Anyone caught dumping refuse, litter, or waste on public or private property faces a $500 civil fine per occurrence, rising to $1,050 when a private vehicle is used. A companion provision, Sec. 22-11, targets dumping along public rights-of-way -- including tires, construction debris, and hazardous material -- with the same $500 individual and $1,050 commercial-vehicle fine structure, and requires the property owner to remove the debris at their own expense.
Violations & Fines
Dumping refuse, litter, tires, construction debris, or hazardous material on public property, rights-of-way, or private land without consent triggers a $500 fine, or $1,050 if done from a vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is illegal dumping a criminal or civil offense in Miami?
Does dumping on a public right-of-way carry a different penalty?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle illegal dumping.