Sarasota County, FL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- County rule
- Sec. 106-54(a)
- State law
- FS 403.413 (Litter Law)
- Report to
- Call 3-1-1
- 15+ lbs
- First-degree misdemeanor
- 500+ lbs
- Third-degree felony
Summary
It is unlawful to dump solid waste or recyclables on any public or private property in unincorporated Sarasota County except at approved sites (Sec. 106-54). Florida's Litter Law (FS 403.413) adds statewide criminal penalties.
It shall be unlawful for any Person to discharge, throw, place, deposit or allow to remain in or upon any private or public Premises, road, rights of way, street, alley, canal, ditch, stream, lake, pond, bay or other waters... any Solid Waste or Recyclable Materials, except in and upon approved Solid Waste Disposal Sites...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 98).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 106-54(a) makes it unlawful for any person to discharge, throw, place, deposit, or allow solid waste or recyclable materials to remain on any public or private premises, road, right-of-way, canal, ditch, stream, lake, pond, or waterway except at approved disposal or recycling facilities. Only a franchised or authorized hauler may collect residential or commercial waste within the Service District. Statewide, FS 403.413 (the Florida Litter Law) makes it unlawful to dump litter in any amount without consent, with penalties escalating from a $150 civil infraction to first-degree misdemeanor and third-degree felony by weight. Report illegal dumping to Sarasota County by calling 3-1-1.
Violations & Fines
County code violations are enforced by Code Enforcement citation; under FS 403.413, dumping over 15 lbs is a first-degree misdemeanor and over 500 lbs a third-degree felony.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I not dump waste?
How do I report illegal dumping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sarasota County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sarasota County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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