Queen Creek, AZ Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Queen Creek addresses illegal dumping at both the local and state level. Under Chapter 10 (Health and Sanitation) of the Town Code, depositing or accumulating litter, refuse, debris and similar matter on private or public property is a nuisance the town can order abated, with cleanup costs and an administrative charge plus inspection fee assessed to the responsible party. For criminal enforcement, Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-1603 (criminal littering or polluting) controls. A person commits the offense by, without lawful authority, throwing, placing or dropping litter, or destructive or injurious material, on public property or another's property that is not a lawful dump and not immediately removing it; it also covers discharging sewage, oil or harmful substances into waters, and dumping earth, soil, stones, ores or minerals on land. Classification scales with the amount: it is a class 2 misdemeanor in ordinary cases; a class 1 misdemeanor when the litter exceeds 100 pounds but is less than 300 pounds, or exceeds 35 but is less than 100 cubic feet; and a class 6 felony when it exceeds 300 pounds or 100 cubic feet, or is done in any quantity for a commercial purpose. Assessed fines are deposited in the county general fund, with at least half used for illegal-dumping cleanup.