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Winston-Salem, NC Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

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

Key Facts

Prohibition
Depositing litter citywide banned
Civil penalty
$165.00 or 10% abatement cost
Criminal penalty
Class 3 misdemeanor, up to $500
Enforcement
Public Works abates as nuisance

Summary

Winston-Salem bans depositing litter anywhere in the city where wind or water could carry it onto streets, sidewalks, waterways, or public and private property, treating any accumulation as a public nuisance subject to civil penalties and criminal prosecution.

It shall be unlawful for any person to scatter, cast, throw, place, sweep or deposit anywhere within the city any litter in such a manner that it may be carried or deposited by the elements upon any street, sidewalk, alley, body of water, sewer, parkway, lot, public property or private property. Any unauthorized accumulation of litter is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and is prohibited and shall be abated in accordance with subsection 62-3(d).

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).

Full Breakdown

City Code § 26-10(g) makes it unlawful to scatter, throw, place, sweep, or deposit litter anywhere in Winston-Salem in a way the elements could carry it onto a street, sidewalk, alley, waterway, sewer, parkway, lot, or public or private property. Any unauthorized accumulation is declared a public nuisance and abated under § 62-3(d). Under § 26-10(m), the city assesses a civil penalty of $165.00 or ten percent of the abatement cost, whichever is greater, against the property owner if uncorrected after notice. A violation of the chapter is also a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine up to $500.00.

Violations & Fines

Violating § 26-10(g) draws a $165.00 civil penalty (or 10% of abatement cost) against the property owner, plus prosecution as a class 3 misdemeanor with fines up to $500.00 under G.S. 14-4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is illegal dumping a crime in Winston-Salem?
Yes. Depositing litter anywhere in the city where it could be carried onto public or private property violates § 26-10(g) and is a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine up to $500.00.
Who pays if the city cleans up dumped litter?
The property owner. Under § 26-10(m) the city assesses a civil penalty of $165.00, or ten percent of the abatement cost if greater, against the owner after notice of the violation.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Winston-Salem

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Winston-Salem rules

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