Westminster, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Ban scope
- Any public or private property, including hazardous waste
- Sidewalk/street ban
- Sweeping or depositing refuse there is unlawful
- Cleanup liability
- Identified dumper pays removal costs (§8.16.090)
- Maximum misdemeanor penalty
- $1,000 fine and/or six months jail
- Infraction fine schedule
- $100 / $200 / $500 for repeat offenses
Summary
Westminster bans placing, throwing or dumping any refuse, bulky item, or hazardous waste on public or private property, and separately bans sweeping or depositing refuse onto any sidewalk, street, alley or gutter, with violators facing misdemeanor prosecution and liability for the city's cleanup costs.
No person shall place, deposit, throw or dump, or cause to be placed, deposited, thrown or dumped any refuse, recyclable waste material, bulky items, liquids other than water, or hazardous waste in or upon any public or on private property of any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to, private property open to the patronage of the public or open to public view, except on property lawfully maintained for such purposes. ... No person shall put, place, sweep, throw, brush or in any other manner deposit any refuse, discarded item, recyclable waste materials or items of any kind upon any sidewalk, street, alley, gutter or other public place in the city; provided, however, that this section shall not be construed to prohibit the placing of any required refuse containers upon any sidewalk, street or alley in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4982734; v10 updated 2026-06-10).
Full Breakdown
040(A) prohibits any person from placing, depositing, throwing or dumping, or causing to be placed, deposited, thrown or dumped, any refuse, recyclable waste material, bulky items, liquids other than water, or hazardous waste on any public or private property of any kind, including property open to the public or open to public view, except on property lawfully maintained for that purpose. Subsection (B) separately bars putting, placing, sweeping, throwing or brushing any refuse, discarded item or recyclable waste material onto any sidewalk, street, alley, gutter or other public place, though it doesn't stop placement of required refuse containers there for pickup. 060 bars anyone but the owner, the owner's agent, or the MCSD franchisee from tampering with or removing a placed container.
Violations & Fines
Dumping violations are enforced under the citywide general penalty, Section 1.12.010: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail, or, at the city attorney's discretion, an infraction carrying $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each additional violation, with every day of continuing violation a separate offense; the city attorney may also seek a civil injunction, and an identified dumper is liable for removal costs under Section 8.16.090(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to dump old furniture on vacant land in Westminster?
What if I just sweep dirt or debris into the street gutter?
What penalty am I facing for illegal dumping in Westminster?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westminster
California rules heatmap·Compare Westminster to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle illegal dumping.