Butte County, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- First-offense penalty
- $100 administrative penalty (§ 49-8(a))
- Second offense (1 year)
- $200 administrative penalty (§ 49-8(b))
- Third+ offense
- $500 administrative penalty (§ 49-8(c))
- Criminal exposure
- Misdemeanor under § 49-2, punished per § 1-7(a)
- Failure to abate
- Additional $100-$500 penalty under § 49-9
- Unpaid penalty interest
- 10% per year, may become a property lien
- Vehicle forfeiture
- Dumping vehicles seized and forfeited under Article II
Summary
Dumping solid waste anywhere in unincorporated Butte County without a licensed hauler is a misdemeanor under Code Section 49-2, punishable per Section 1-7(a). The County's Enforcement Officer can instead levy administrative penalties under Section 49-8: $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within one year, and $500 for a third or later violation. Vehicles used to dump refuse are subject to seizure and forfeiture under Article II.
a.In addition to the costs of administrative enforcement as provided in Section 49-7, any person who violates section 49-2 and/or 49-3 is liable to the County for administrative penalties in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each violation set forth in the administrative order.b.If a second violation of this is caused by a responsible party whom has already been determined to be liable of a violation of this Article within one (1) year of the date of the first violation, the administrative penalty shall be two hundred dollars ($200.00).c.If a third or subsequent violation of this code is caused by the same responsible party whom has already been determined to be liable of a violation of this Article within one (1) year of the date of the first violation, the administrative penalty shall be five hundred dollars ($500.00).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
Butte County Code Chapter 49 makes it unlawful for any person who owns, occupies, or manages property in the unincorporated area to fail to arrange for lawful disposal of solid waste, or to deposit solid waste on a public right-of-way, easement, stream, or private property without the owner's permission (Section 49-2(a)). A violation is a misdemeanor punishable under Section 1-7, Subsection (a) of the County Code, and the resulting condition is also declared a public nuisance subject to administrative abatement. Rather than prosecute every case criminally, the Enforcement Officer (the Director of Development Services, Director of Public Works, or health officer) can issue an administrative order under Section 49-4 requiring payment of a penalty and correction of the violation.
Section 49-8 sets the penalty schedule: $100 for a first violation of Section 49-2 or 49-3, $200 for a second violation by the same responsible party within one year, and $500 for a third or later violation within that year. A separate penalty of up to $100, rising to $200 and $500 for repeat failures, applies under Section 49-9 if the responsible party does not abate the nuisance within three days of a final order. Anyone served an order may object in writing within seven days (Section 49-5), triggering a hearing before a contract Hearing Officer, with further appeal to the Board of Supervisors within twelve days plus the filing fee set in Section 3-43.
Unpaid penalties accrue interest at ten percent per year and can be recorded as a lien or special assessment against the property (Section 49-12). Article II of the chapter goes further for vehicles: any vehicle used to facilitate illegal dumping is declared a public nuisance, title vests in the County upon the act, and peace officers may seize it with or without prior process before the District Attorney pursues civil forfeiture (Sections 49-21 through 49-25).
Violations & Fines
A first violation of Section 49-2 or 49-3 draws a $100 administrative penalty, a second within a year draws $200, and a third or later draws $500, on top of possible misdemeanor prosecution under Section 1-7(a). Failing to abate a resulting nuisance within three days adds its own escalating penalty under Section 49-9. Unpaid amounts accrue ten percent annual interest and can become a property lien, and dumping vehicles face seizure and forfeiture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for a first illegal dumping violation in unincorporated Butte County?
Can Butte County seize my vehicle for illegal dumping?
How do I appeal an illegal dumping administrative penalty?
Does the County still prosecute illegal dumping as a crime?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Butte County
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