Salt Lake City, UT Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 9.08.145
- Default penalty class
- Class B misdemeanor (§ 1.12.050)
- Max fine (individual)
- $1,000
- Max fine (corporation)
- $5,000
- Continuing violation
- New offense each day (§ 1.12.040)
Summary
Dumping solid or liquid waste on any street, alley, lot, or premises in Salt Lake City without Salt Lake Valley Health Department permission is unlawful under City Code § 9.08.145, and unspecified-penalty violations default to a class B misdemeanor with real fines and jail exposure.
It is unlawful for any person to place or deposit, or for an owner, occupant, lessor, or lessee of any premises or vacant property to place or deposit or cause or permit to be placed or deposited, or to allow to remain placed or deposited thereon, any solid or liquid waste or recyclable items in or upon any street or alley, or lot, whether occupied or vacant, or upon any premises in the city, without express permission from the Salt Lake Valley health department except within the specified time frame and requirements of the city's special collection events.
B. If solid or liquid wastes are placed on the street during special collection events that do not comply with the rules governing the allowable type, placement, or separation of solid or liquid wastes, the solid or liquid wastes will not be picked up and the resident occupying the property bordering the solid or liquid waste will be required to remove and properly dispose of the solid or liquid waste. Violations will be referred to the Salt Lake Valley health department. (Ord. 72-15, 2015)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 9.08.145 bars anyone, including a property owner, lessor, or lessee, from placing, dumping, or letting solid or liquid waste or recyclables sit on any street, alley, lot (occupied or vacant), or premises without written permission from the Salt Lake Valley Health Department. The section carries no separate fine, so § 1.12.050's citywide default applies: a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines, six months in jail, or both (up to $5,000 for a corporation, association, or partnership). Under § 1.12.040, dumping that isn't cleaned up counts as a fresh violation every day it continues.
Violations & Fines
Class B misdemeanor: up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail for a person, up to $5,000 for a business; each day dumping remains is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping trash on a vacant lot illegal in Salt Lake City?
What's the penalty for illegal dumping in Salt Lake City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle illegal dumping.