Mount Vernon, NY Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Individual fine
- $5,000 to $20,000 per offense
- Vehicle owner fine
- $1,500 to $10,000 per offense
- Cleanup deadline
- 10 days after conviction
- Informant reward
- Up to 50% of fine collected
- Vehicle risk
- Impoundment and forfeiture, § 140-27
Summary
Dumping dirt, construction debris, trade waste or garbage from a truck onto any street, lot or public or private property in Mount Vernon carries a fine of $5,000 to $20,000. Vehicle owners face a separate $1,500 to $10,000 fine per offense.
It shall be unlawful for any person, his or her agent, employee or any person under his or her control to suffer or permit any dirt, sand, gravel, clay, loam, stone, rocks, rubble, building rubbish, sawdust, shavings or trade or household waste, refuse, ashes, manure, garbage, rubbish or debris of any sort or any other organic or inorganic material or thing or other offensive matter being transported in a dump truck or any other vehicle to be dumped, deposited or otherwise disposed of in or upon any street, lot, park, public place or other area whether publicly or privately owned. ... Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be liable for a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $20,000. In addition, every owner of a dump truck or other vehicle shall be liable for a fine of not less than $1,500 nor more than $10,000 for each offense of unlawful dumping described in § 140-24 by any person using or operating the same in the business of such owner or otherwise, with the permission, express or implied of such owner.
Full Breakdown
City Code § 140-24, added in 1981 and amended in 2005, makes it unlawful for anyone, or anyone under their control, to permit dirt, sand, gravel, clay, rubble, building rubbish, trade or household waste, ashes, manure, garbage or any other organic or inorganic material being transported in a dump truck or other vehicle to be dumped or deposited on any street, lot, park, public place or other area, public or private. A violator faces a fine of $5,000 to $20,000, and separately, the owner of the dump truck or vehicle used faces $1,500 to $10,000 per offense if the vehicle was used with the owner's express or implied permission.
Section 140-25 lets the Commissioner of Public Works reward individuals whose sworn statement or tip leads to a conviction or civil penalty, up to 50% of the fine collected, weighing the quantity and type of material dumped and the specificity of the information provided. Section 140-26 requires the offender to clear and clean the dumped area within 10 days of conviction or be billed for city or contractor cleanup, and lets DPW post warning signs stating the penalties. Section 140-27 allows the Department of Public Safety to impound equipment or vehicles used in the violation pending a forfeiture hearing, with a hearing held within three business days of a request and a decision within four.
Violations & Fines
An individual convicted of illegal dumping under § 140-24 faces a fine of $5,000 to $20,000, and a vehicle owner who allowed the vehicle's use faces a separate $1,500 to $10,000 fine per offense. Equipment and vehicles used in the violation may be impounded and forfeited under § 140-27, and the offender must clear the dumped site within 10 days of conviction under § 140-26 or be billed for the cleanup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for illegal dumping in Mount Vernon, NY?
Can Mount Vernon seize a truck used for illegal dumping?
Do I have to clean up if I'm caught dumping illegally in Mount Vernon?
Does Mount Vernon pay rewards for reporting illegal dumping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mount Vernon
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Westchester County handle illegal dumping.