Pismo Beach, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Section 8.12.220 bars any person from dumping, depositing, keeping or accumulating any brick, mortar or debris incident to the construction of buildings, or any other waste material which tends to create a hazard to public health, safety and welfare, on any public or private place, street, lane, alley or drive. The one exception is temporary accumulation during the period of actual construction on premises under construction or alteration. Section 8.16.010 covers public areas: it is unlawful to leave, discard, deposit or throw away any glass container, tin can, waste food, papers or any other refuse or rubbish upon any beach, sidewalk, boardwalk, alley, parking lot or public area in the city. Section 8.12.230 adds that a local resident cannot use the public garbage containers placed on the beach areas and other public places for the resident's own household garbage, refuse and rubbish.

Owners carry a duty too. Under § 8.12.240 the owner or person in control of private property must keep the premises free of rubbish, garbage, refuse, mortar, debris or other waste material at all times, apart from a permit from the director of public works for fill and compaction work and storage in private receptacles for collection. Section 8.12.260 prohibits storing or parking unlicensed or inoperable vehicles for more than thirty days.

The abatement process is spelled out. The director of public works posts the premises and sends notice by certified mail or personal service (§ 8.12.270). The notice gives five days after receipt to start disposal and pursue it to completion without interruption, or the director disposes of it and the cost becomes a lien (§ 8.12.280). The owner is billed the actual cost plus interest at six percent per year (§ 8.12.310). If the bill is not paid within thirty days, a sworn statement is recorded and constitutes a lien, and a delinquent penalty of ten percent applies if the amount is not paid on or before the date it becomes a lien (§ 8.12.320).