Worcester, MA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Chapter 8, Section 6 of the Revised Ordinances prohibits any person from depositing, dropping or throwing filth, rubbish or refuse on public or private property and letting it remain there, unless it goes into a receptacle provided for that purpose or the activity is covered by a lawful city or state permit or license. Section 6(c) extends this specifically to bulk items like furniture and televisions left on a public or private way with a "free" sign attached, closing off the common excuse that curbside giveaways are not dumping.

Enforcement runs through civil process, criminal process, or the noncriminal disposition track under General Laws Chapter 40, Section 21D, and any of the officers named in Section 1, including the Commissioner of Public Health, the Building Commissioner, and any police officer, may act. Section 6(d) adds a targeted remedy for dumping on public property near a residence: if an enforcing agent identifies a responsible party from an adjacent property, the agent must attempt phone or email contact and physically post a notice on that person's property.

If the violation is not removed or abated within 24 hours, the city can clear the filth, rubbish or bulk items itself and bill the responsible party for the cost, on top of the civil fine.