Portland, ME Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Maine's littering law (17 M.R.S. § 2263-A) prohibits intentionally throwing, dropping, depositing, discarding, or dumping litter on public highways, roads, streets, alleys, rights-of-way, or other public lands except in designated containers; on private land without owner consent; and in fresh or tidal waters. Penalties under 17 M.R.S. § 2264-A are tiered: minor littering (≤ 15 lbs or ≤ 27 cubic feet) carries a civil fine of $100-$500 ($500-$1,000 for a repeat offense); major littering (> 15 lbs or > 27 cubic feet) carries a minimum $500 fine plus treble damages (minimum $200), restitution of court costs/attorney's fees, 100+ hours of public service, possible driver's-license suspension, and required litter removal. Commercial dumping (> 500 lbs or > 100 cubic feet) is referred to Title 38 § 349 penalties under the DEP framework — potentially thousands per day in penalties. Portland enforces locally through Police, Code Enforcement, and Public Works, and also addresses unauthorized dumping in the Code of Ordinances chapter on Sanitation, Sewers and Solid Waste. Open burning of refuse is separately prohibited under State Fire Marshal rules; abandoned vehicles fall under 29-A M.R.S. § 1854.