New Brunswick, NJ Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Base first offense
- $100 minimum fine, community service possible
- Base third offense
- Mandatory $1,000 fine plus community service
- Over thirteen gallons
- 1.74 cubic feet triggers the steeper schedule
- Large-volume first offense
- $1,000 minimum fine
- Large-volume third offense
- Mandatory $5,000 fine plus community service
- Liability standard
- Strict liability under § 8.40.010(D)
Summary
In the City of New Brunswick, New Jersey, dumping solid waste on any street, lot, park or waterway outside a receptacle is unlawful under Municipal Code § 8.40.060. Fines start at $100 and rise to a mandatory $1,000 for a third offense, and dumping over thirteen gallons carries fines from $1,000 to $5,000.
A.It is unlawful for any person to sweep, sort, scatter, throw, dump, deposit any solid waste in any street, alley or park or on any lot, sidewalk, place or premises in the city, whether public or private, or along the bank of or in any pond, lake or stream or other bodies of water within the city except in public or private receptacles for the collection thereof. ... C.Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 1.08, et seq.:1.For a first violation of subsection A of this section, the minimum penalty, upon conviction of the violation, is a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00). ... D.Solid waste disposed in violation of this section that exceeds thirteen (13) gallons (1.74 cubic feet) in volume shall be subject to the following violation schedule:1.For a first violation, the minimum penalty, upon conviction of the violation, is a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). ... 2.Upon conviction for a second offense, a mandatory fine of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) and mandatory community service.3.Upon conviction for a third offense, a mandatory five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) fine and mandatory community service.
Full Breakdown
Section 8.40.060(A) of the New Brunswick Municipal Code makes it unlawful to sweep, sort, scatter, throw, dump or deposit any solid waste in any street, alley or park or on any lot, sidewalk, place or premises in the city, public or private, or along the bank of or in any pond, lake, stream or other body of water in the city, except in public or private receptacles. Merchants and other occupants of places of business cannot sweep waste into a gutter or other public place either. Subsection (B) protects work under a proper permit: construction or demolition, during the work and within a reasonable time afterward, is not interfered with.
The penalties are a graduated schedule. Under subsection (C), a first violation carries a minimum $100 fine and the defendant can also be ordered to perform community service. A second conviction brings a mandatory $250 fine and mandatory community service. A third conviction brings a mandatory $1,000 fine and mandatory community service. Subsection (D) then sets a steeper schedule for dumping that exceeds thirteen gallons, which the code equates to 1.74 cubic feet: a $1,000 minimum for a first violation, a mandatory $2,500 fine plus community service for a second, and a mandatory $5,000 fine plus community service for a third. Offenses occurring more than one year from the previous offense are not cumulative under either schedule.
A person who receives a summons can plead guilty and pay the $100 or $1,000 first-offense fine before the designated court date, and no municipal court appearance is required. The chapter adds a strict liability standard for § 8.40.060 under § 8.40.010(D). Section 8.40.040(J) separately bars anyone from bringing solid waste into the city from outside for the purpose of dumping or disposing of it, and a vehicle carrying such waste cannot stand on a city street or public property for more than two hours. Section 8.40.080 makes occupants responsible for keeping sidewalks, gutters and yards free of litter.
Violations & Fines
Dumping of thirteen gallons or less costs $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second and $1,000 for a third, each with community service after the first. Dumping over thirteen gallons costs $1,000 first, $2,500 second and $5,000 third. The first-offense fines are minimums, and the second and third are mandatory. Offenses more than one year apart are not cumulative, and a guilty plea paid before the court date avoids an appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for illegal dumping in New Brunswick?
Does the code apply to private property too?
Do repeat offenses ever reset?
Can I avoid a court date by paying the fine?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Brunswick
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle illegal dumping.