San Diego, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SDMC § 66.0201
- Covered materials
- Solid, hazardous, medical, recyclable waste
- Intent required
- None: applies even if unintentional
- Liability
- Full cost of cleanup and restoration
Summary
Spilling, depositing, or abandoning solid waste, hazardous waste, or recyclable material on any highway or public or private property is prohibited, and violators owe the full cost of cleanup on top of any other penalty.
Any person who spills, deposits or abandons any solid waste, hazardous waste, hazardous substance, medical waste, recyclable material, whether intentionally or unintentionally on any highway or public or private property so as to impede or impair the normal use thereof or so as to create a condition which requires the property to be cleaned or cleared shall, in addition to any other penalty, be liable for the payment of the cost of any and all expense necessary to clean or clear the property of such waste and restore the property to its natural or former condition. (Retitled to "Liability for Cleanup of Spilled, Deposited Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, Hazardous Substances, Medical Waste, Recyclable Material" and amended
Full Breakdown
San Diego Municipal Code §66.0201, in Chapter 6's Division on Spilled, Deposited or Abandoned Matter, makes anyone who spills, deposits, or abandons solid waste, hazardous waste, hazardous substances, medical waste, or recyclable material on a highway or public or private property liable for cleanup costs whenever the dumping impedes normal use of the property or forces it to be cleaned or cleared. Liability for the full expense of cleanup and restoring the property attaches whether the dumping was intentional or unintentional, and it stacks on top of any other penalty the city imposes for the same act.
Violations & Fines
Dumper is liable for the complete cost of cleaning, clearing, and restoring the property to its former condition, in addition to any separate criminal or civil penalty for the dumping itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter if the dumping was accidental?
Is cleanup cost the only consequence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle illegal dumping.