Pacifica, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected waterways
- San Pedro, Calera, Milagra, Big Inch creeks; Crespi Channel
- Cleanup notice period
- 15 days to remove litter
- Appeal window
- 7 days to petition Council
- Lien interest
- 7% annual on city-billed removal
- Default penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 / 6 months
Summary
In the City of Pacifica, it is unlawful to throw, deposit or accumulate litter on any public place or private premises, or to dump anything into San Pedro, Calera, Milagra or Big Inch Creek or the Crespi Channel, under Pacifica Municipal Code § 5-9.03. The City Manager can order cleanup and bill the property owner if it isn't done.
No person shall throw, deposit, or accumulate litter in or upon any public place or private premises within the City except while such person is temporarily engaged in clearing such public place or private premises of litter or improving such public place or private premises. No person shall throw or deposit, or cause to be thrown or deposited, into any channel or bed or bank of San Pedro Creek, Calera Creek, Milagra Creek, Big Inch Creek, or Crespi Channel within the City any substance, rubbish, article, or thing.
Full Breakdown
02 to include garbage, rubbish such as boxes, packing materials and yard trimmings, and any other material that creates a danger to public health when not kept in a proper receptacle. 03 bars throwing, depositing or accumulating litter on public places or private premises except while actively cleaning them up, and separately bans dumping any substance, rubbish, article or thing into the channel, bed or bank of San Pedro Creek, Calera Creek, Milagra Creek, Big Inch Creek or Crespi Channel. 05 puts an affirmative duty on property owners and occupants to keep the public sidewalk or street area next to their premises free of litter.
06 describing the required work; the owner then has 15 days to complete it or the city will do the disposal itself and charge the cost as a lien. 1. 11 records an unpaid bill as a lien on the property after 30 days, with a further 10 percent delinquency penalty, recorded with the San Mateo County Recorder.
Violations & Fines
Because Chapter 9 carries no penalty clause of its own, a Section 5-9.03 violation falls under the Code's general penalty in Section 1-2.01: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in county jail, though the City Attorney or Public Prosecutor may charge it as an infraction instead, with fines of $100, $200 and $500 for a first, second and third offense in a year. Unpaid cleanup costs become a property lien under Section 5-9.11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as illegal dumping in Pacifica?
Who has to clean up litter on private property in Pacifica?
What happens if I don't clean up after a city notice?
Can I dispute a litter cleanup notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pacifica
California rules heatmap·Compare Pacifica to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle illegal dumping.