Tonawanda, NY Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Section 181-15 of the Town Code targets anyone who deposits or leaves, or causes someone else to deposit or leave, waste in a public right-of-way, road, street, highway or alley outside the Village of Kenmore unless the material is contained and prepared under the chapter's tote and bagging rules and put out no more than 24 hours ahead of the designated collection time. The same chapter separately makes it unlawful under § 181-8 for anyone unauthorized to remove a tote lid or scatter waste already set out for pickup, and § 181-16 requires the person who placed uncollected material, or the property owner, to remove it by 7:00 p.m. of the collection day if the Town refuses to take it.

Reports of dumping go to the Superintendent of Highways under § 181-19, and the Superintendent, the Code Enforcement Officer or their designees can issue appearance tickets under § 181-20, served personally and returnable in Town of Tonawanda Justice Court. The escalating fine schedule in § 181-22A runs from a written warning on a first offense up through $250 for a fifth or later offense within twelve months, and § 181-22C makes each day a violation continues its own separate offense; a fine unpaid after 30 days lets the Town Board authorize the Town Attorney to sue for collection under § 181-22E.