Illegal dumping

The law targets illegal dumping before material is discarded, increases consequences for repeat and high-volume violations, and requires cleanup or repayment of cleanup costs in specified cases.

What the law does ​

• Makes it illegal to transport waste, rocks, concrete, asphalt, dirt, or construction debris intending to illegally dump it.
• Raises the maximum fine for a fourth or later standard violation to $5,000, doubled when used tires are involved.
• Makes commercial dumping over 25 cubic yards punishable by up to one year in county jail and a mandatory $25,000 fine; dumping over 50 cubic yards may be charged as a felony with a mandatory $50,000 fine.
• Bars owners and permitted users from dumping or transporting material on their own property when required permits are missing or the activity creates a health, nuisance, or fire hazard.
• Requires courts to order cleanup or payment of cleanup costs for commercial-quantity violations and certain unlawful dumping on an owner's property.
• Requires licensing entities under the Department of Consumer Affairs to publicly post relevant licensee convictions after court notification.
• Protects employees without ownership, management, or decision-making authority from charges for commercial quantities over 25 cubic yards when acting at an employer's direction.
• Clarifies that visible construction material in a vehicle alone does not justify a stop, detention, or arrest.

Who it affects ​

• Haulers, contractors, businesses, and others transporting waste or construction debris.
• Property owners and people acting with their permission.
• Licensed businesses whose work is substantially related to an illegal-dumping conviction.
• Employees directed by their employers to dump materials, subject to the law's limited protection.