Newark, NJ Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Section 15:6-2(a) makes it "unlawful for any person to deposit, place or dump, or to permit the dumping, depositing or placing of any litter, solid waste, paper, rubbish, trade waste or refuse upon any land, in any stormwater sewer, or in any waterway of the City," with the only exception being the disposal methods already authorized under Chapter 15:4. " Section 15:6-3 extends liability to any property owner or person in control of property who allows someone else to dump on it. Section 15:6-5 requires anyone who violates Chapter 15:6 to immediately remove all of the material they illegally dumped, on top of any fine.

Section 15:6-4 separately requires every property owner to keep their premises free of debris and litter, with its own escalating fine schedule of $300, $500, $750 plus up to 90 days of community service, and $1,500 with possible discontinuance of collection service for repeat offenses, and mandatory court appearance from the third offense within a year. Section 15:6-6 offers a $250 reward, paid by the Director of Engineering out of a dedicated fund, to anyone whose tip leads to a conviction under Sections 15:6-2 or 15:6-3; public employees whose job is to enforce the law cannot collect it.