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Middletown, OH Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Threshold
More than a 30-gal bag, 5+ lbs
First offense
Misdemeanor, third degree
Second offense
Misdemeanor, first degree
Cleanup costs
Charged to the violator
Enacted
Ord. O2004-25, 3-16-2004

Summary

In the City of Middletown, Ohio, dumping more than a 30-gallon bag's worth of garbage, trash or junk on public property or someone else's land, without authority, is a third-degree misdemeanor, rising to a first-degree misdemeanor on a second offense, plus cleanup costs.

§ 660.035 DUMPING. ... (a) Definitions. As used in this section: ... (1) DUMPING. Means, but is not limited to, the discarding, dropping, placing, throwing, depositing or disposing of in any manner, any garbage, trash, dead animals, junk, tires, automobile parts, unusable building materials or any other similar substance, manmade or otherwise, in an amount in excess of what could be contained within one standard 30-gallon trash bag, weighing more than five pounds ... (b) Dumping prohibited. No person shall, without lawful authority, dump or cause to be dumped any waste or other refuse upon any public property or upon the premises of another. ... (e) Penalty. (1) Whoever violates division (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of third degree on a first offense; on a second offense such person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

View official code

Full Breakdown

035(a)(1)). 035(b)). 035(c)). 035(d)). 035(e)(1)). 035(e)(2)). The section was enacted by Ord. O2004-25, passed March 16, 2004.

Violations & Fines

A first dumping offense under § 660.035(b) is a misdemeanor of the third degree; a second offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree, and the violator is liable for the City's cleanup and removal costs, by restitution order or civil action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as illegal dumping in Middletown, Ohio?
Section 660.035 defines dumping as discarding garbage, trash, junk, tires, auto parts or building materials in an amount greater than a standard 30-gallon trash bag weighing over five pounds, without lawful authority, on public property or someone else's land.
What is the penalty for illegal dumping in Middletown?
A first offense is a misdemeanor of the third degree. A second offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree, and the violator must also pay the City's costs to clean up and remove the dumped waste.
Can the City identify who dumped waste without a witness?
Yes. Section 660.035(c) creates a rebuttable presumption that a person dumped the waste if a document or writing identifying that person's name, address or other identifying information is found in or near it.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Middletown

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Cat RulesSome Restrictions

All Middletown rules

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