Rock Hill, SC Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Rock Hill enforces illegal dumping through layered state and local authorities. The primary state criminal statute is SC Code §16-11-700 (Dumping Litter on Private or Public Property Prohibited; Exceptions; Responsibility for Removal; Penalties), updated by Act 214 of 2018, which prohibits dumping litter, garbage, or any solid waste in waterways or on public property and on any private property unless the dumper owns it or has the owner's permission. The statute creates three penalty tiers based on the weight of the material dumped. Tier 1, littering of 15 pounds or less or a volume of 27 cubic feet or less: fine of $25 to $100, plus 8 hours of mandatory community service such as litter cleanup. Tier 2, illegal dumping of more than 15 pounds but less than 500 pounds (or more than 27 cu ft but less than 216 cu ft): fine of $200 to $500 or imprisonment for up to 30 days, plus mandatory community service set by conviction count - 16 hours for first conviction, 24 hours for second, 32 hours for third and beyond. Tier 3, large-scale dumping of 500 pounds or more (or 216 cu ft or more) or any quantity for commercial purposes: fine of $500 to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both. Enforcement is shared between the Rock Hill Police Department, City Public Works investigators, Neighborhood Services Inspections, and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. Locally, the City layers Chapter 17 (Solid Waste) of the Code of Ordinances and Chapter 20 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions) enforcement, and SC Code §5-7-30 provides the broader municipal nuisance-abatement authority that lets the City clean up and bill responsible parties. PalmettoPride coordinates statewide anti-litter enforcement campaigns and posts the current tier penalties on its enforcement page. To report illegal dumping in progress, call the Rock Hill Police non-emergency line; for cleanup of existing dumps on public right-of-way or vacant lots, call Public Works (803-325-2500) or Neighborhood Services (803-329-7014).