Harris County, TX Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- Texas Health & Safety Code Ch. 343
- Enforcer
- Harris County Health Department
- Abatement deadline
- 30 days after notice
- First offense fine
- $50 to $200
- Repeat offense
- $200 to $1,000 plus jail
Summary
Dumping or accumulating refuse, junk, or rubbish outside a closed receptacle for 10 or more days on unincorporated Harris County property is a public nuisance. The county Health Department issues a 30-day abatement notice before pursuing misdemeanor fines that climb to $1,000 for repeat offenders.
a. Keeping, storing, or accumulating refuse on premises in a neighborhood unless such refuse is entirely contained in a closed receptacle; ... b. Keeping, storing, or accumulating rubbish or any unused, discarded, or abandoned object, including newspapers, vehicles, refrigerators, stoves, furniture, tires, and cans, on premises in a neighborhood for 10 days or more, unless the rubbish or object is completely enclosed within a building or is not visible from a public street;
Full Breakdown
Subchapter 11C, adopted under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 343, lets the Harris County Health Department investigate complaints about refuse, rubbish, or discarded objects (tires, appliances, furniture) left outdoors for 10-plus days on unincorporated county property, unless enclosed or hidden from the street. A Notice to Abate gives the owner 30 days to clear the site; if it isn't abated, Commissioners Court can order the county to do it, billing the owner a $100 administrative fee plus abatement costs and 10 percent annual interest, secured by a lien on the property. Ignoring the notice is also a separate criminal misdemeanor under Health & Safety Code Sec 343.012.
Violations & Fines
Failing to abate refuse within 30 days of notice is a misdemeanor: $50-$200 fine for a first offense, $200-$1,000 plus up to six months in jail for a repeat offense, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside the City of Houston?
How long can debris sit before it counts as illegal dumping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harris County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Harris County to another location·View the Texas trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.