Vacaville, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

California Penal Code Section 374.3 makes it unlawful to dump or cause to be dumped waste matter in or upon any public or private highway or road, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof, or in or upon any private property into or upon which the public is admitted by easement or license, or upon any private property without the consent of the owner. First-conviction fines start at $250 and rise for repeat offenders, with an enhanced penalty (up to $3,000 and possible county-jail time) where dumping is done as part of a commercial operation. Vehicle forfeiture provisions apply in some commercial-dumping scenarios. Locally, illegally dumped trash, furniture, mattresses, appliances, and construction debris are also a public nuisance under Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 8.10 and may be abated under Chapter 1.28 with administrative citations, cost recovery, and recorded liens. Vacaville Code Enforcement and the Vacaville Police Department investigate dumping reports; the City asks residents to capture photos, license plates, and times. Households can avoid illegal-dumping risk by using the Recology Vacaville Solano Residential Cleanup Program (one cleanup per year, scheduled in advance) or hauling C&D debris to an approved transfer station. Household hazardous waste must be taken to the County HHW facility - it is not accepted in any curbside cart or at the curb.