Sonoma, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

12 Public Park and Recreation Areas Regulations, makes it unlawful for any person to dump, deposit or leave bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse, or other trash, anywhere in a city park or recreation area except in the receptacle provided for it. The rule applies specifically to land and water owned, managed or controlled by the City of Sonoma, meaning parks, plazas, ballfields and trails such as the Sonoma Overlook Trail and Montini Preserve, not to private property or streets citywide.

060 bars damaging or displacing park benches, tables, signs and fixtures. 12 traces to Ordinance 432 of 1971 and its refuse section has not been amended since. 160 may eject anyone violating park rules, and through parks maintenance staff who report violations for citation. Dumping construction debris, furniture or bagged household trash at a park entrance or along a trail falls squarely within this section because it is left outside a designated receptacle. Readers asking about illegal dumping on city streets, sidewalks or private lots outside parks should note this section does not reach that conduct; it is limited to park and recreation-area property under city control.