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Illegal dumping is a crime and turns our beautiful communities into unsightly messes.

If you see illegal dump sites in your community, be sure to let us know. Take a picture if you can and note the exact location using an address, a mile marker, or GPS coordinates as well as getting the approximate size of the dump site, and what kinds of materials . You can report illegal dump sites using our online reporting tool or you can give us a call @  707-234-6400

If you see illegal dumping occurring, please make note of the same information as above, in addition to the color, make and model, the license plates of the involved vehicles, and a description of any persons you observe. Pictures can also be helpful. Be aware that you are witnessing a crime take place and make sure to protect your own safety first. Do not attempt to stop the dumping or apprehend anyone involved. Provide the information about the illegal dumping to the County or City code enforcement office or local law enforcement first, then report the dump site to us.

What do you do if somebody has illegally dumped trash onto your property?

Unauthorized dumping on your personal property is a crime. Contact your local law and/or code enforcement with information regarding the dumping on your property. If the responsible party cannot be found,you are responsible for cleanup. You may consider contacting your insurance company to inquire about property cleanup coverage.

Report abandoned vehicles to the Mendocino Code Enforcement Office: 707-234-6650 ext. 4

Recycling, composting, and waste prevention are ways to cut trash costs. But some people haven’t gotten the message. They dump their trash illegally on the roadside.

The cumulative impact of illegal dumping can have a devastating impact on fish and other wildlife in the area. Our local creeks have a variety of problems, including storm water runoff containing numerous pollutants, illegal trash dumping, illegal waste water discharges, and riparian habitat destruction.

Illegal trash dumping is a persistent problem that costs money and creates a bad impression for tourists. Unauthorized dumps also can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Dumping waste such as discarded trash, oil, appliances, scrap tires, furniture and other items on private or public land and waterways is strictly prohibited by law. In addition to being unsightly, illegal dumps can pose health and safety hazards to people and wildlife.

Photo of illegal dumping in wooded area 

Litter isn’t just unsightly, it’s illegal, unhealthy and wasteful. Numerous laws exist to prohibit littering and illegal dumping. Under California law, litter is any trash thrown, discarded or dropped by a person onto public property, private property not owned by the individual, or into our waterways. Trash dumping is a crime that is punishable by a fine of $1000 and in some cases jail.

If you witness illegal dumping, a vehicle license number and description of people involved is needed by law enforcement to make a citation. Law enforcement should be called immediately.

For individual or community adopt a road program please visit Mendocino Co DOT Permits & Applications, For a list of roads included in the adopt a road program please visit Adopt a Road List.

 

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Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority
3200 Taylor Drive, Ukiah, CA 95482