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

Section 188-18 of the Troy City Code, enacted by the Troy City Council as part of Chapter 188, Littering, defines the offense. All categories of waste material, including garbage, rubbish, bulk refuse, construction and demolition material, scrap metal or any similar waste, may only be placed for collection, by private or municipal services, at the location from which the waste was generated. Waste deposited at any other location within the City of Troy, New York is illegal dumping.

Section 188-19B sets the criminal penalty: a violation punishable by a fine, imprisonment or both for each offense, with a minimum fine of $200 per occurrence, a maximum of $500 per offense, and incarceration not to exceed 15 days per offense. Section 188-19C adds a graduated City Court fine or civil penalty for any chapter violation: $100 first, $125 second, $225 third, $300 fourth and $350 fifth. Under § 188-19D the court can also order public service relating to litter removal or area restoration, and can order payment of damages to the injured party, including court costs and attorney's fees in a civil proceeding.

When the City hauls the waste, § 188-19A applies. The minimum collection fee is $75, and $150 for construction and demolition material, with higher charges set by the inspecting officer based on volume and sanitary conditions. The City mails written notice with a photograph, the owner has 45 days to pay, and unpaid fees are relevied on the property taxes. A quantity reasonably judged to fit inside the box of a standard City pickup truck is collected free from an owner-occupied single-, two-, three- or four-unit residence. Rental properties where the owner does not live on site are treated as commercial, and commercial rentals, tax-exempt properties and not-for-profit agencies get no municipal bulk refuse collection.

People who are cited have appeal rights under § 188-20: a hearing request within 10 days of the notice, a hearing starting within 30 days of the request, and review in Supreme Court under Article 78. Section 188-6 separately requires loads of waste to be covered or enclosed in transit, and § 188-21 lets the Mayor reward an informant with 25% of the fine or civil penalty collected for a § 188-18 violation.