South Gate, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

South Gate Municipal Code Chapter 7.78 (Illegal Dumping — Nuisance Vehicles) defines 'illegal dumping' as placing, throwing, dropping, depositing, sweeping, dumping, disposing, or leaving of any organic or inorganic rubbish, waste matter, refuse, garbage, bulky item, construction material, hazardous waste, solid waste, or other solid/semisolid/liquid material on public property. The chapter declares it unlawful and a public nuisance and provides that any vehicle used to transport bulky items, hazardous waste, or solid waste for the purpose of illegal dumping is a nuisance and the vehicle shall be impounded. This is in addition to penalties under California Penal Code §374.3, which makes the unauthorized dumping of waste matter on any public or private property a misdemeanor with fines of: $250–$1,000 for a first conviction; $500–$1,500 for a second; and $750–$3,000 for a third or subsequent conviction, with mandatory community service (Penal Code §374.3(c)–(g)). Commercial dumpers face enhanced penalties. SGMC §5.08 also makes the property owner and occupant responsible for keeping the adjacent street, sidewalk, alley, and right-of-way clean — meaning material dumped on or near your property may obligate you to remove it. Report dumping to South Gate Code Enforcement at (323) 563-9558 or to LA County's CleanLA hotline; UWS will collect properly scheduled bulky items at no charge (10/month free), making illegal dumping unnecessary.