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Wicomico County, MD Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Core prohibition: No dumping litter/garbage/refuse off designated sites
Enforcing agency: Wicomico County Department of Public Works
Owner presumption: Unidentified dumper: material owner presumed liable
Mail-trail presumption: Named recipient in dumped mail presumed liable
Rebuttal: Clear/convincing proof of lawful hauler handoff
Default classification: Misdemeanor unless declared an infraction

Summary

Dumping litter, garbage, rubbish or refuse anywhere in unincorporated Wicomico County other than a designated disposal site is unlawful under § 156-3. If nobody sees who did it, the county can presume the property owner or the person named on mail found in the pile is responsible.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Wicomico County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, dump or deposit or to cause or permit to be thrown, dumped or deposited any litter, garbage, rubbish or refuse on any public or private property other than property designated by the County or state for the disposal of such litter, garbage, rubbish or refuse. § ... 156-4. ... Presumption of responsibility for violation. ... ... B. The person identified as the recipient of addressed mail, correspondence, envelopes, invoices or shipping tags contained within any litter, garbage, rubbish or refuse unlawfully thrown, dumped or deposited upon any public or private property within the County shall be presumed to be the owner of said litter, garbage, rubbish or refuse and shall be responsible for the violation of this chapter.

View official code

Full Breakdown

A makes it unlawful for any person to throw, dump or deposit litter, garbage, rubbish or refuse on public or private property other than a site the county or state has designated for that purpose, and it also reaches anyone who causes or permits someone else to do the dumping. Because illegal dumping is often anonymous, § 156-4 builds in a chain of presumptions the Department of Public Works can use to identify the responsible party. A). B). C). D). E). Chapter 221's general definitions treat any county code violation not specifically declared a civil infraction as a misdemeanor, so a § 156-3 dumping violation not otherwise scheduled for a fine can still be prosecuted that way.

Violations & Fines

Section 156-3 does not carry a separately printed dollar fine of its own within Chapter 156; violations of county laws that are not designated civil infractions default to misdemeanor treatment under § 221-1. Anyone found responsible under the § 156-4 presumption chain, including the property owner or the party named on mail recovered from the dumped material, can be pursued for the violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dumping trash on someone else's land illegal in unincorporated Wicomico County?

Yes. Section 156-3.A bans throwing, dumping or depositing litter, garbage, rubbish or refuse on any public or private property other than a site the county or state has designated for disposal.

How does the county prove who dumped illegally when no one saw it happen?

Section 156-4 lets the county presume responsibility from evidence: the material's owner if the dumper is unknown, or whoever is named as recipient on mail or invoices found mixed into the dumped material.

Can I fight a presumption that I'm responsible for illegal dumping?

Yes. Section 156-4.D lets you rebut the presumption with clear and convincing evidence that you gave the material to a commercial hauler whose business is lawfully disposing of it.

Sources & Official References

[1]Code of Wicomico County, MD § 156-3, § 156-4

Other rules in Wicomico County

Recycling RulesLight Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome Restrictions Pickup Rules & SchedulesSome Restrictions Yard Waste CollectionSome Restrictions Holiday Pickup ScheduleLight Restrictions Dumpster RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningHeavy Restrictions

All Wicomico County rules

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