Richmond Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping Rules (2026)

Illegal dumping is a high-priority enforcement issue for Richmond, which has suffered from chronic dumping along Richmond Parkway, industrial areas in North Richmond, the waterfront, and vacant lots in the Iron Triangle. Under California Penal Code §374.3, dumping waste matter on public or private property without consent is an infraction on first offense ($250-$1,000), a misdemeanor on second ($500-$1,500), and escalates to $3,000+ and up to six months jail for repeat or commercial-volume dumping. Dumping from a vehicle creates a presumption the registered owner is responsible. Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 9.28 supplements state law with administrative citations up to $1,000 per day for property owners who allow dumped material to remain. The city operates an Illegal Dumping Hotline (510-620-6509) and a reporting form on richmondca.gov; reports can include photos of vehicles and license plates. Richmond has deployed motion-activated trail cameras at known dumping hotspots; footage is used for prosecution by the Contra Costa DA. Mattress and appliance dumping is especially targeted because both have free or low-cost legal disposal through Republic Services bulk pickup. Cleanup liens can be placed on private properties where owners refuse to remove dumped material. The city's Code Enforcement Division, Public Works, and Police Department coordinate on enforcement. Community cleanup events organized through the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council also address dumping.