Whitfield County, GA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Sec. 5-52(a) makes it unlawful for any person to dump, deposit, throw or leave litter on any public or private property in Whitfield County, or any waters in Whitfield County, unless the site is designated by the State of Georgia or a political subdivision for disposal and the person is authorized to use it (the ordinance specifically calls out land run by the Dalton-Whitfield County Regional Solid Waste Authority), the litter goes into an installed receptacle, or the property owner or tenant consents. Litter is defined broadly in Sec.

5-51 to include sand, gravel, rubbish, waste material, cans, cigarette butts, garbage, carpet selvedge, trash, debris and dead animals. Sec. 5-53 gives investigators two evidentiary shortcuts: litter thrown from a vehicle, boat, bicycle or airplane is prima facie evidence the operator violated the article, and litter found bearing a name, on mail, bills or other writings, creates a rebuttable presumption that the named person dumped it. On conviction, Sec. 5-52(b) requires the court to publish the violator's name and offense in the Dalton Daily Citizen.

Beyond the fine, Sec. 5-54(b) and (c) let a judge order the offender to personally pick up and remove litter along up to one mile of public street, highway or right-of-way, or from a public park or private property where the dumping is proven. Enforcement under Sec. 5-55 is open to any state or county law enforcement officer, certified peace officer, or county code enforcement officer.