Washington County, MN Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Washington County Solid Waste Management Ordinance No. 0, sets two distinct violations. First, "Unauthorized Dumping": disposing of solid waste anywhere in the county except at an authorized site or facility. Second, "Unlicensed Open Dumps": operating an open dump at all. When an open dump is found, the county's Public Health and Environment Department can order the property owner, or another party it determines is responsible, to collect and transport the waste to a licensed facility and to submit a closure plan for department review. The closure process has hard deadlines: the responsible party must notify the department at least 10 days before starting excavation or removal, and must submit a receipt or other documentation proving lawful disposal no later than 14 days after disposal.

Closure also requires diverting surface water away from the site, establishing a final grade between 2% and 25% to control erosion, and planting vegetative cover of shallow-rooted perennials. The property owner must also record an instrument with the Washington County Recorder disclosing the former open dump and any resulting use restrictions. 0: unlicensed violations, including illegal dumping and open dumps, are prosecuted as a misdemeanor, with a separate offense deemed committed for each day the violation exists or continues. The department can also issue citations directly, seek injunctive relief to stop or correct a violation, or recover cleanup costs through civil action or by certifying them as a special property tax through the county auditor.