Illegal Dumping

Proper Waste Disposal in San Francisco

Keeping San Francisco clean and beautiful is everyone's responsibility. Understanding the correct procedures for waste disposal is important to help keep San Francisco clean, healthy and looking good. Illegal dumping is an ongoing challenge, with debris such as furniture, mattresses and appliances left out on the sidewalks near homes, schools and places of business. In addition, the use of City trash cans to dispose of household and commercial trash is against the law and poses problems. 

Why Illegal Dumping Is Bad:

1. Makes neighborhoods look unsightly
2. Attracts graffiti and other types of vandalism
3. Encourages more litter and other bulky item dumping
4. Is very costly to taxpayers and wastes other community resources
5. Presents a safety hazard by obstructing pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists 
6. Attracts vermin, bacteria and mold

Use City Trash Cans Correctly

The City provides public trash cans for the convenience of residents and visitors. These bins are strategically placed throughout San Francisco to ensure easy access for litter disposal. However, it's important to use them correctly:

1. Only dispose of small items, such as paper cups, fast food packaging, bagged dog waste and extinguished cigarette butts, in the City trash cans. Do not use the public cans to dump trash from your home or business. And don’t leave furniture, construction debris or other bulky items around the cans.
2. Do not overfill the bins. If a trash can is full, find another nearby or take your waste with you until you can properly dispose of it.
3. Never throw hazardous materials, such as chemicals, batteries or flammables, in a public trash can.

It’s The Law

1. San Francisco Municipal Health Code 280 outlines regulations concerning waste disposal and cleanliness in the City. Among these regulations, it is a violation to dump refuse in undesignated spaces. This includes dumping waste around City trash cans or in areas not designated for waste disposal. Violators face a fine of up to $1,000 for each illegal dumping infraction.
2. Public Works Code 174
3. San Francisco Municipal Police Code 63a makes it illegal to place objects on the sidewalk that block the passage of a street or sidewalk. This means any furniture or bags left next to a public trash can are in violation of this code.

You can find more information on these codes on the Public Works Outreach & Enforcement Team webpage.

If you witness illegal dumping or come across illegally dumped waste, please report it immediately. You can report illegal dumping to CodeEnforcement@sfdpw.org or contact the sf311 customer service center. By reporting such activities, you help preserve the cleanliness and integrity of our city.

There are legal alternatives to get rid of your old junk:

1. You can also visit SF Environment's Zero Waste Toolkit to find out how to get rid of just about anything.
2. Businesses, tenants and property owners must maintain adequate levels of garbage service. If you’re dumping trash in a public trash can because you’ve run out of space in your own bins, you need to increase your service levels. Recology customers are also entitled to free bulky item pickups each year.  For residential customers, two complimentary curbside Bulky Item Recycling collections are available annually for buildings with up to 5 units. In multi-family buildings with 6 units or more, each unit is entitled to one no-cost curbside collection. Once scheduled, place your items adjacent to the curb in front of your residence, ensuring they do not obstruct the sidewalk, and affix a sign reading "RECOLOGY." You must contact Recology to schedule your bulky item appointment.
3. More questions? Contact sf311.