Washington, DC Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Ordinary dumping
- up to $10,000 fine, 90 days jail
- Commercial/hazardous dumping
- felony, up to $40,000 and 5 years
- Cleanup liability
- 3x District's cleanup cost
- Vehicle used in dumping
- subject to seizure and forfeiture
Summary
Dumping solid, hazardous, or medical waste on any street, lot, park, or private area without Mayoral authorization is a crime in D.C., with felony-level fines for hazardous waste or commercial dumping.
It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose or cause or permit the disposal of solid waste, hazardous waste, or medical waste in or upon any street, lot, park, public place, or any other public or private area, whether or not for a commercial purpose, unless the site is authorized for the disposal of solid waste, hazardous waste or medical waste by the Mayor.
Full Breakdown
Under D.C. Code § 8-902, it is unlawful to dispose of solid waste, hazardous waste, or medical waste on any street, lot, park, public place, or private area unless the site is authorized by the Mayor. Ordinary solid waste dumping is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $5,000 (first offense) or $10,000 (subsequent offenses) and up to 90 days imprisonment. Commercial dumping, or dumping hazardous or medical waste, is a felony carrying up to $40,000 in fines and up to 5 years imprisonment. Violators also owe 3 times the District's cleanup cost, and vehicles used in the dumping are subject to seizure and forfeiture.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor: up to $5,000 first offense, $10,000 repeat, or 90 days jail. Felony (commercial/hazardous/medical): up to $40,000 fine, 5 years imprisonment, plus 3x cleanup costs and vehicle forfeiture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is illegal dumping a crime in Washington, D.C.?
Can the District seize a vehicle used for illegal dumping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington
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