Stamford, CT Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Small dumping fine
- $90 per occurrence, under 1 cu ft
- Large dumping fine
- $1,000 per occurrence, over 1 cu ft
- Illegal container use
- $500 fine if over 5 lbs
- Enforcement
- Civil citation process, Ch. 97
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 748, effective 1995
Summary
Stamford bans dumping litter, garbage, or debris on public or private property and fines violators up to $1,000 per occurrence under the city's Littering and Dumping Prohibited ordinance.
A.The fine for the littering of material, as defined above, with a total volume of less than one (1) cubic foot, shall be ninety dollars ($90.00) for each such occurrence.B.The fine for the littering of material, as defined above, with a total volume of more than one (1) cubic foot shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000.) for each such occurrence.C.The fine for illegal placement of material into a collection container, as defined in § 137-45 above, shall be ninety dollars ($90.00) for each such occurrence, unless the amount of material placed or dumped exceeds five (5) pounds. In said case, the fine shall be five hundred dollars ($500.) for each such occurrence. Footnotes: --- (30) --- Amended 3-1-1999 by Ord. No. 868.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 137, Article VI of the Stamford Code, no one may throw, spill, or dump litter, including garbage, debris, construction material, or lawn waste, on public or private property they don't own, or in city waters. Dumping under one cubic foot draws a $90 fine per occurrence; dumping over one cubic foot carries a $1,000 fine per occurrence. Illegally placing more than five pounds of material in someone else's refuse container is a separate $500 violation. The Board of Representatives enforces the article through the city's civil citation process, and each occurrence is a separate, stackable violation.
Violations & Fines
Fines run $90 for dumping under one cubic foot, $1,000 for dumping over one cubic foot, and $500 for illegally loading over five pounds into another's collection container; each occurrence counts separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fine for illegal dumping in Stamford?
Does each dumping incident count separately?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stamford
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle illegal dumping.