Durham County, NC Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- NC G.S. 14-399
- Small dump
- Infraction, fine up to $200
- Community service
- 4 to 12 hours
- Over 15 pounds
- Misdemeanor
- Set-out material
- City crews only (Sec. 58-3)
Summary
Dumping litter on public or private property you don't own is illegal statewide under NC G.S. 14-399. Small amounts are an infraction with fines and community service; larger amounts (over 15 pounds) are a misdemeanor. Only City crews may take set-out material.
No person, including any firm, organization, private corporation, or governing body, agents or employees of any municipal corporation shall intentionally or recklessly throw, scatter, spill or place ... or otherwise dispose of any litter upon any public property or private property not owned by the person.
Full Breakdown
North Carolina's littering statute, G.S. 14-399, bars intentionally or recklessly throwing, scattering, spilling, placing, or otherwise disposing of litter on public property or on private property not owned by the person. Durham City Code reinforces this: Sec. 58-3 lets only City-authorized crews haul away set-out refuse or recyclables, Sec. 58-132 bars meddling with the contents of receptacles set out for the City, and Sec. 58-100 bars placing material in a private bulk container without the owner's permission. The state penalty scales with the amount dumped, and the City's solid-waste code is enforced civilly through remedial fees.
Violations & Fines
G.S. 14-399: dumping under 15 lbs is an infraction, fine up to $200 plus 4–12 hours litter community service; over 15 lbs (or for commercial gain) is a Class 3 or higher misdemeanor with larger fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the penalty for dumping trash in Durham?
Can I toss junk in someone else's dumpster?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Durham County
Compare Durham County to another location·View the North Carolina trash & recycling overview
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