Illegal dumping is a serious crime that can harm the environment and negatively impact neighborhood aesthetics. Dumping things like tires, debris, old furniture and hazardous materials not only harms the environment and lowers property values, but results in millions of dollars spent on enforcement and cleanup costs.
If you witness an illegal dumping incident in progress, call 911. Never confront someone who is dumping. Instead, try to get the vehicle license number or at least a description of the vehicle used to commit the crime.
If an instance of illegal dumping has already happened, call 311.
You can also report neighborhood problems and code violations using 311Direct, a mobile application. 311Direct can be downloaded for free in the iTunes store for Apple users or in the Google Play store for Android users.
Offenders are subject to fines of up to $2,500, vehicle seizure and arrest. Those found guilty may be sentenced to perform up to 300 hours of community service cleaning up illegal dumping sites.
If you've received a Warning Notice of Violation of the Municipal Code, Chapter 15, we urge you to comply with its directives by the compliance deadline, per Chapter 8CC of the Municipal Code.
In the event you feel that you are not responsible for the violation, please make sure you carefully read the citation (front and back) and appeal the citation to the Clerk of the Court by the appeal deadline. Appealing preserves your right to contest the citation in front of a third party (Hearing Officer).
If you have other questions about your warning or citation, please contact the Enforcement Division at 305-514-6700.
Residents who have received a citation and want to request an extension or request an arrangement for partial payment must be directed to Department of Solid Waste Management, Enforcement Division at 305-514-6700.
You have 3 easy options to dispose of your trash the right way:
Schedule a bulky waste pickup.
Visit a neighborhood trash and recycling center.
Go to a home chemical collection center
Private contractors have access to several disposal facilities:
North Dade Landfill
South Dade Landfill
Resources Recovery Facility
Three regional transfer stations
Illegal dumping is a problem Countywide, but the southern parts of the County provide a unique challenge due to large, unfenced properties with commingled residential and agricultural uses. The more sparsely populated areas in and around Miami-Dade’s southern agricultural regions have unfortunately captured the attention of illegal dumpers, who take advantage of the lighter population density, making it harder to catch them in the act.
The Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) is aware of this problem. However, DSWM’s funding is limited to providing services, including illegal dumping cleanup, only to fee-paying customers, such as single-family households within the Waste Collection Service Area.
The County does have some resources available to provide relief to the agricultural and the Redland communities in southern Miami-Dade.
Enforcement
The following enforcement actions are taking place regularly in Miami-Dade County.
Known illegal dumping “Hot Spots” are patrolled weekly
Complete patrolling of entire zones weekly
Aggressive approach on unpermitted hauling activity and coordination of unpermitted hauling efforts with MDPD
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