Prince George's County, MD Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- County Code Section 21-103.01
- Litter on land
- Section 13-265
- Enforced by
- DPIE + Police Department
- State backup
- MD Litter Control Law
- Report to
- PGC311 / 3-1-1
Summary
Prince George's County prohibits dumping, depositing, or leaving solid waste or recyclable material on public or private property. County Code Section 21-103.01 makes illegal dumping unlawful, and DPIE and the Police Department issue citations, with related litter dumping enforced under Subtitle 13.
It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of, dump, deposit, or leave any solid waste or recyclable material within the County, on public or private property, in violation of any order of the Director …
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2026 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
County Code Section 21-103.01(a) makes it unlawful for any person to dispose of, dump, deposit, or leave any solid waste or recyclable material within the County, on public or private property, in violation of an order of the Director of the Department of the Environment; exceptions cover temporary on-site storage, private yard-waste compost piles, and certain scrap metal or construction debris. The property-maintenance code reinforces this: Section 13-265 makes it a violation to deposit litter on any land, and dumping a bulky item is barred unless the site is designated for it. Fines and citations for illegal dumping can be issued by both the Police Department and DPIE, and Maryland's Litter Control Law adds state penalties. Report it through PGC311.
Violations & Fines
Illegal dumping brings citations and fines from DPIE and the Police Department, escalating by the volume and type of material dumped. Bulky and construction dumping can trigger larger fines, County cleanup billed to the responsible party, and state charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is illegal dumping a crime in Prince George's County?
How do I report illegal dumping?
Can I dump yard waste or old furniture on a vacant lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
Compare Prince George's County to another location·View the Maryland trash & recycling overview
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