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Valencia County, NM Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

General dumping fine
up to $1,000
Hazardous waste fine
up to $5,000
Jail exposure
up to 90 days
Correction notice window
10 to 30 days
Enforcement
County Manager, Code Enforcement, Sheriff's deputies

Summary

Dumping solid waste, litter, or construction and demolition debris on roads, streets, alleys, or public or private property is unlawful in unincorporated Valencia County under Code § 50.07(B). The County Manager, a Code Enforcement Officer, or a Sheriff's deputy can inspect, order cleanup within 10 to 30 days, and violators face a misdemeanor charge, up to 90 days in jail, and fines reaching $1,000 for ordinary waste or $5,000 for hazardous waste.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Valencia County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(B) No person shall throw, place, dump or dispose of any solid waste, litter, or construction and demolition debris on any road, street, gutter, sidewalk or alley, or on any public property or another's private property. ... It shall be a violation of this chapter ... for any person, firm or corporation to neglect, refuse to comply with, or resist the enforcement of any provision thereof. Violators of any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor; and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by 90 days in jail for each separate offense and/or a fine as follows: (1) Not exceeding $1,000 for discarding or disposing of solid waste, litter or garbage on public or private property in any manner other than by disposing it in accordance with this chapter;

View official code

Full Breakdown

07(B)). 07(E)). 07(F)). 07(G)). 07(H)). 07(J)).

Violations & Fines

Violating § 50.07 is a misdemeanor under § 50.99(C), punishable by up to 90 days in jail per separate offense plus a fine of not more than $1,000 for dumping solid waste, litter, or garbage outside the chapter's rules, or not more than $5,000 for improperly disposing of hazardous waste. Section 50.99(A) separately treats each day a violation continues as its own offense, subject to the maximum penalty state law allows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be fined for dumping trash along a county road in Valencia County?
Yes. Section 50.07(B) of the county code prohibits throwing, placing, dumping, or disposing of solid waste, litter, or construction and demolition debris on any road, street, gutter, sidewalk, alley, or public or private property, and a conviction under § 50.99(C) can bring up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Who enforces the illegal dumping ban in unincorporated Valencia County?
The County Manager or a designee, the County Code Enforcement Officer, and Valencia County Sheriff's Department deputies enforce § 50.07. They can inspect a property under a warrant when they suspect an unlawful accumulation of solid waste, litter, or debris exists.
How long do I have to clean up an illegal dumping violation before the county acts?
The code gives the responsible party 10 to 30 days after written notice to correct the violation. The County Manager may waive that waiting period if the accumulation is a clear and present danger to public health or safety, and the county can then bill cleanup costs as a lien on the property.
Is dumping hazardous waste treated differently than ordinary trash?
Yes. Section 50.99(C)(2) sets a fine of up to $5,000 for improperly or illegally disposing of hazardous waste, five times the $1,000 cap that applies to dumping ordinary solid waste, litter, or garbage under § 50.99(C)(1).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Valencia County

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsRecycling RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsLight RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSignificant RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningFew RestrictionsBuilding Safety: Childcare Center RulesSignificant RestrictionsHistoric Preservation: Historic-Cultural MonumentsSome Restrictions

All Valencia County rules

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