Springfield, MA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Ch. 327, Solid Waste, § 327-13
- First-offense fine
- $100
- Repeat-offense fine
- up to $300/day
- Covers
- streets, public places, vacant/private land
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Public Works / Housing Dept.
Summary
Springfield, Massachusetts bans dumping litter, garbage, or rubbish on any street, sidewalk, public place, vacant lot, or private property, with escalating per-day fines for repeat violations.
No person shall throw or deposit litter in or upon any street, sidewalk or other public place within the City except in public receptacles for that purpose... No person shall throw or deposit or cause to have thrown or deposited any litter on any open or vacant property within the City, whether owned by such person or not... A person violating any provision of Subsections A through L of this section shall be fined $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and $300 for the third or subsequent offenses.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
The Springfield City Code's litter and overgrowth ordinance prohibits throwing or depositing litter on any street, sidewalk, or public place except in designated receptacles, and separately bans dumping litter on open or vacant private property whether or not the dumper owns it. Property owners must keep their premises and abutting sidewalks free of litter and overgrowth. The Department of Public Works and Housing Department enforce the chapter; the City can also remove illegally dumped litter or overgrowth from private property after notice and bill the owner, with unpaid costs becoming a lien on the property.
Violations & Fines
Fines of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $300 for a third or subsequent offense; each day a violation continues is a separate offense, enforced criminally or via noncriminal disposition under M.G.L. c. 40, § 21D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping trash on a vacant lot in Springfield, MA illegal even if I don't own it?
Who enforces Springfield's illegal dumping rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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