Wayne County, MI Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- First offense fine
- $250.00 minimum
- First repeat fine
- $500.00 minimum
- Second+ repeat fine
- $1,000.00 minimum
- Unpaid after 30 days
- Fine doubles automatically
- Reporting reward
- Up to $500 to informants
Summary
Wayne County fines illegal dumping of scrap autos, tires, construction debris and litter starting at $250 as a civil infraction, rising to $500 for a first repeat offense and $1,000 for later repeats.
A person shall not, without the consent of a permit from the public authority having supervision of public property or the consent of the owner of private property, dump or dispose of scrap automotive bodies, tires or parts; construction debris, waste materials, rubbish, yard clippings and similar litter materials upon the public or private property or rights-of-way. ... A person who violates subsection (a) or (b) of this section is responsible for a municipal civil infraction, subject to payment of a civil fine of not less than $250.00 for each violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
Wayne County Code Ch. 97 bans dumping scrap auto bodies, tires, construction debris, waste materials, rubbish, yard clippings and similar litter on public or private property or rights-of-way without the property owner's or public authority's consent, and bans dumping that impairs or pollutes public or private watercourses. Violations are municipal civil infractions enforced by the Department of Environment, Health Department, Department of Public Services and the Sheriff's Department, with citations returnable to the Wayne County Municipal Ordinance Violations Bureau. The rule applies countywide, not just to unincorporated land.
Violations & Fines
Civil fine: $250 minimum first offense, $500 minimum first repeat, $1,000 minimum second/subsequent repeat, plus costs and expenses; unpaid fines double after 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is illegal dumping a crime or a civil violation in Wayne County?
Does this rule apply inside Detroit and other cities?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wayne County
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