Moreno Valley, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Charge level
- Misdemeanor
- Liable parties
- Dumper and property owner
- Unpaid cleanup costs
- Become a property lien
- Emergency abatement authority
- Director of community development
- Costs beyond fines
- Due on receipt of city's statement
Summary
Dumping on someone else's property without consent, or on public land outside a lawful receptacle, is a misdemeanor in Moreno Valley. The perpetrator and the property owner both owe the city cleanup costs, which become a lien on the land if unpaid.
No person shall engage in dumping on any private premises owned, possessed or controlled by any other person without the consent of that other person, nor shall any person engage in dumping in or on public places, except in permissible receptacles, as provided under this chapter for lawful pickup and disposal...Dumping prohibited under this section, and the accumulation of any materials dumped upon any public or private property, are hereby declared to the public nuisances and may be abated as such...The perpetrator of any dumping, as well as the owner of any private property subject to such abatement, shall be liable to the city for the costs of cleanup and abatement.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4887234; v10 updated 2026-04-07).
Full Breakdown
075(A) prohibits dumping on private premises owned or controlled by another person without that person's consent, and separately bans dumping in or on public places except into permissible receptacles for lawful pickup. 020 to include placing, depositing, discarding or storing solid waste, hazardous waste, green waste, garbage, special waste, medical waste, rocks, dirt, or scrap-value and abandoned vehicles. Subsection (B) declares the dumping itself, and the resulting accumulation of dumped material, a public nuisance abatable under the code and state law, and makes both the person who dumped and the owner of the affected private property liable to the city for cleanup and abatement costs.
If the property owner doesn't pay those costs, they become a lien on the property under applicable law. Subsection (C) adds that abatement costs stack on top of any fine from a criminal conviction, are due immediately on receipt of the city's written statement, and are collectible as an ordinary civil debt. Subsection (D) gives the director of community development emergency authority: if a dumping violation creates an imminent health and safety hazard, the director can order the property owner to immediately abate the condition or can order the city to perform emergency abatement itself, without waiting for the standard nuisance process.
Violations & Fines
Illegal dumping is charged as a misdemeanor under Section 6.02.075, with both the dumper and the affected property's owner liable to the city for cleanup and abatement costs regardless of who is criminally convicted. Unpaid abatement costs become a lien against the private property under Section 6.02.075(B) and (C), collectible as a civil debt in addition to any court-imposed fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is illegal dumping a misdemeanor in Moreno Valley?
Who pays to clean up an illegal dump site?
Can the city act immediately on a dangerous dump site?
What counts as dumping under this section?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moreno Valley
California rules heatmap·Compare Moreno Valley to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle illegal dumping.