Anderson County, SC Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Core prohibition
- no dumping litter/waste on public or private land
- Applies to
- vehicles and pedestrians alike
- Load-covering rule
- hauling loads must be covered; bags don't count
- Removal duty
- property owner, with exceptions
- Penalty
- misdemeanor plus 5+ hrs litter labor
Summary
Anderson County makes it unlawful to dump, throw, drop, deposit, or discard litter or solid waste on any public or private property or in county waters, whether from a vehicle or on foot, unless the site is designated for waste disposal or the material goes into a proper litter receptacle.
No person shall dump, throw, drop, deposit, discard or otherwise dispose of litter or other solid waste upon any public property in the county or upon private property in this county or in the waters of this county, whether from a vehicle or otherwise, including, but not limited to, any public highway, public park, beach, campground, forest land, recreational area, trailer park, highway, road, street or alley, except: (1) When such property is designated by the county and/or state for the disposal of litter and other solid waste and such person is authorized to use such property for such purpose. (2) Into a litter receptacle in such a manner that the litter will be prevented from being carried away or deposited by the elements upon any part of such private or public property or waters.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 20-23(a) bars any person from dumping, throwing, dropping, depositing, discarding, or otherwise disposing of litter or solid waste upon public or private property or waters of the county, including highways, parks, beaches, campgrounds, forest land, recreational areas, and trailer parks, whether from a vehicle or otherwise. The only exceptions are disposal at a site the county or state has designated for that purpose, or depositing into a litter receptacle in a manner that prevents the material from being carried off by the elements. Subsection (b) separately bars depositing litter or solid waste in an area or facility not intended for public deposit, while subsection (c) assigns responsibility for removing litter to the property owner, except where wind or weather carried it from another parcel, in which case the property of origin's owner answers for it, or where the actual violator is identified and within county jurisdiction.
Section 20-24(b) adds that no vehicle hauling litter may be driven on a county road unless the load is covered and fastened, with garbage bags specifically ruled out as adequate covering, and section 20-25 holds the driver liable if it cannot be determined which occupant caused a violation.
Violations & Fines
Violating the litter control article is a misdemeanor under section 20-29, punishable under the general penalty in section 1-7, with courts authorized to impose a minimum of five hours of litter-gathering labor or other public service per offense in addition to any fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping trash on someone else's land illegal in Anderson County?
Do I have to cover a load of trash I'm hauling?
Who is responsible for illegally dumped litter on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anderson County
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