Rapid City, SD Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- §§ 8.12.010, 8.12.020, 8.12.100
- Penalty
- Up to 30 days jail or $100 fine, or both
- Covered material
- Garbage, trash, refuse, rubbish, debris
- Construction sites
- Owner must contain and prevent blowing litter
- Property duty
- Owners must keep land free of uncontainerized litter
Summary
Throwing or depositing litter, garbage, rubbish or debris on any Rapid City street, sidewalk, public place or private property is a misdemeanor under the litter chapter unless it goes into a container meant for it. A violation carries up to 30 days in jail, a $100 fine, or both, and dumped material can also trigger the city's separate nuisance abatement process.
No person shall throw or deposit any litter in or upon any street, sidewalk or other public place or any private property except in public or private containers designed and intended for the collection of litter. Persons placing litter in such containers shall do so in such manner as to prevent its being carried or deposited by the elements upon any street, sidewalk or other public place or private property. ... Violation of any provision of this chapter may be punishable by not more than 30 days in jail or a fine not more than $100, or both.
Full Breakdown
010(C): any uncontainerized garbage, trash, refuse, rubbish, debris or other waste, including cans, bottles, paper, cardboard, ashes, cigarettes, yard clippings, dead animals and salvaged motor vehicle parts. 020 makes it unlawful to throw or deposit litter in or upon any street, sidewalk or other public place, or on private property, except in a public or private container designed and intended to collect it, and requires that anyone using such a container do so in a way that keeps the litter from blowing or spilling back out.
050 requires every owner, tenant or person in control of private property to keep it free of uncontainerized litter at all times, not just refrain from actively dumping. 070: the owner or person in charge must keep litter from accumulating or blowing off the site and must provide adequate containers for it. 040.
Violations & Fines
Section 8.12.100 sets Chapter 8.12's penalty at not more than 30 days in jail, a fine of not more than $100, or both. Where dumped material also rises to a public nuisance under Chapter 8.16, Code Enforcement can additionally issue a written abatement notice, and an unremedied nuisance can be abated by the city with the cost specially assessed against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the penalty for illegal dumping in Rapid City?
Is it illegal to dump trash on someone else's private property in Rapid City?
Am I responsible for litter that blows onto my property from a construction site?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rapid City
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