Lake County, FL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Litter banned
- Roads, water, private land
- Junk
- Enclosed or removed
- State law
- FS 403.413 Florida Litter Law
- Up to 15 lbs
- $150 noncriminal infraction
- Over 500 lbs
- Third-degree felony
Summary
It is unlawful to throw, place or deposit litter in any amount on public roads, waterways or private property in Lake County. Junk must be enclosed or removed, and open yards or vacant lots holding junk are declared a nuisance.
It is unlawful for any Person to throw, discard, place or deposit Litter, in any manner or amount: (1) In or on any public highway, road, street, alley or thoroughfare, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof ... (3) In or on any private property unless prior consent of the owner has been given.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 150).
Full Breakdown
Lake County's Litter article (Code Ch. 23, Art. VIII) makes it unlawful to throw, discard, place or deposit litter, in any manner or amount, on public roads or rights-of-way, freshwater lakes, rivers or wetlands, or on private property without the owner's consent (Sec. 23-97). Sec. 23-98 requires any junk to be inside a completely enclosed structure or removed, and declares yards, open areas and vacant lots holding junk a nuisance. Florida's litter law, FS 403.413, backs the county: dumping up to 15 pounds/27 cubic feet is a noncriminal infraction with a $150 civil penalty; over 500 pounds or any commercial dumping is a third-degree felony.
Violations & Fines
Under FS 403.413(6), litter up to 15 lbs = $150 noncriminal infraction; 15–500 lbs = first-degree misdemeanor; over 500 lbs or commercial = third-degree felony. County code adds Chapter 8 fines up to $1,000/day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping trash on a vacant lot illegal?
How bad are the penalties for illegal dumping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Lake County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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