San Joaquin County, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- First offense
- Up to $100 fine
- Second offense
- Up to $200 fine
- Additional offenses
- Up to $500 each
- Legal status
- Infraction + public nuisance
Summary
Illegal dumping in unincorporated San Joaquin County is an infraction, with fines escalating up to $500 per repeat violation under County Code §§5-10504–5-10508.
(a) It is a violation of this Chapter for any person to illegally dump or to cause waste matter to be disposed of in violation of this Chapter, this Code, or State or Federal statute. (b) It is unlawful for a person to have another person or to hire another person to dispose of more than one (1) cubic yard of waste matter who is not legally authorized to dispose of waste matter in the County.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Development Title: Supplement 3 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
County Code §5-10504 makes it unlawful to illegally dump waste matter, to hire an unauthorized hauler to dispose of more than one cubic yard, or to allow dumping on property you own or control. Violations are infractions under §5-10507, and §5-10508 sets fines of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second violation within a year, and $500 for each additional violation: on top of any state Penal, Health and Safety, Vehicle or Fish and Game Code penalties. The Board of Supervisors may also fund a reward for information leading to a violator's identification.
Violations & Fines
Infraction fines escalate: $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, $500 for each additional offense within one year (§5-10508), plus state-law penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the penalty for illegal dumping in San Joaquin County?
Is illegal dumping treated as a crime?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Joaquin County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Joaquin County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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