Lancaster County, PA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- 18 Pa.C.S. §6501
- First offense
- $50–$300 fine, cleanup, or jail
- Cleanup hours
- 5–30 hours in six months
- Vehicle dumping
- Misdemeanor, up to $5,000+
- Also chargeable under
- 35 P.S. §6018.610 (SWMA)
Summary
Illegal dumping is a state crime in Pennsylvania. Under 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 (scattering rubbish), depositing waste on roads, others' land, or waterways is a summary offense carrying fines, mandatory litter cleanup, or jail, with steeper penalties for repeat and vehicle-based dumping.
A person is guilty of an offense if he: (1) causes any waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse or rubbish, or any dangerous or detrimental substance to be deposited into or upon any road, street, highway, alley or railroad right-of-way, or upon the land of another or into the waters of this Commonwealth.
Full Breakdown
Dumping trash outside the proper waste system is prosecuted under Pennsylvania's scattering-rubbish statute, 18 Pa.C.S. §6501, which applies countywide in Lancaster County. It bars depositing waste paper, ashes, refuse, or other rubbish onto any road, alley, railroad right-of-way, the land of another, or Commonwealth waters, and bars tampering with waste receptacles. Larger-scale unpermitted disposal can also be charged under the state Solid Waste Management Act (35 P.S. §6018.610). Enforcement is by state and local police and code officers; report dumping to your municipal police or the PA DEP.
Violations & Fines
A first offense is a summary offense: a fine of $50–$300 plus 5–30 hours of litter cleanup, or up to 90 days in jail. Repeat and collection-vehicle dumping escalate to misdemeanors with far larger fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is illegal dumping a county or state offense?
What is the penalty for a first offense?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lancaster County
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