Penalties for Littering and Illegal Dumping

If you are thinking about dumping trash illegally, THINK AGAIN! Here are just a few of the penalties you could incur:

Littering
From $50 to $5,000 fine, plus jail time from 90 days to 1 year, depending on the amount of litter dumped:

Less than or equal to one cubic foot: $50 fine, plus court costs. It is a Class 3 Civil Infraction for a person to litter in an amount less than or equal to one cubic foot.

More than one cubic foot, but less than one cubic yard: conviction could result in up to 90 days in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. It is a Misdemeanor for a person to litter in an amount greater than one cubic foot, but less than one cubic yard. The violator may also pay a litter cleanup restitution payment equal to twice the actual cost of cleanup, or fifty dollars per cubic foot of litter, whichever is greater ($50 to $1,350). The court may, in addition to or in lieu of part or all of the cleanup restitution payment, order the person to pick up and remove litter from the property.

Litter of one cubic yard or more: conviction could result in up to one year in jail, a fine up to $5,000, or both. It is a Gross Misdemeanor for a person to litter in an amount of one cubic yard or more. The violator shall also pay a litter cleanup restitution payment equal to twice the actual cost of cleanup, or one hundred dollars ($100) per cubic foot of litter, whichever is greater ($2,700 per cubic yard). The court may, in addition to or in lieu of part or all of the cleanup restitution payment, order the person to pick up and remove litter from the property.

Littering in a State Park:
The court may, in addition to any other penalties assessed, order the person to perform twenty-four hours of community service.

Discarding a Cigarette, Cigar, or other tobacco product:
This is a Class 1 Civil Infraction. $1025 fine, plus court costs for discarding a cigarette, cigar or other tobacco product capable of starting a fire.

Abandoning a junk vehicle:
It is a Gross Misdemeanor for a person to abandon a junk vehicle. Conviction could result in up to a one-year sentence in jail, a fine up to $5,000, or both. The violator may also pay a cleanup restitution payment equal to twice the costs incurred in the removal of the junk vehicle.

Kitsap County Public Works
The Open Line
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
openline@co.kitsap.wa.us