Palm Bay, FL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Public and private land
- Exemption
- Private compost piles
- Penalty
- 2nd-degree misdemeanor
- Citation
- Palm Bay Code § 150.26
Summary
Dumping waste on any lot, street, alley, park, stream, canal, or other waterway in Palm Bay without required permits is unlawful, whether the land is public or private, vacant or occupied.
It shall be deemed unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person to deposit or cause to be deposited any waste as defined herein upon any lot, parcel of land, public or private, whether vacant or improved, occupied or unoccupied, or upon any other premises, street, alley, roadway, park, stream, canal, or other waterway within the city, without first obtaining all required and necessary city, state and federal licenses and permits to do so. Compost piles on private property shall be excluded from the provisions of this subchapter. ('74 Code, § 11-3(b)) (Ord. 91-24, passed 9-19-91)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-41: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2026-13, passed 5-21-26).
Full Breakdown
Palm Bay's litter and waste chapter makes it unlawful to deposit waste, public or private property, vacant or occupied, streets, alleys, parks, canals, or any other waterway within city limits, without first securing every required city, state, and federal license or permit. The prohibition, carried over from a 1991 ordinance, applies citywide and covers dumping on someone else's land as well as on public rights-of-way. Compost piles kept on private property are the only carve-out; everything else needs a permit path or it's illegal dumping.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 150.26 is a second-degree misdemeanor under § 150.99, punishable per Fla. Stat. §§ 775.082/775.083; each dumping incident on public or private land can be separately charged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is composting on my property illegal dumping?
What counts as an illegal dumping location under Palm Bay's code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Bay
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Bay to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Brevard County handle illegal dumping.