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Illegal Dumping & Litter
Ordinances
Loudoun County’s litter and solid waste management facilities ordinances address litter and trash that are not disposed of properly:
- Chapter 1080: Solid Waste Management Facilities Ordinance
- Chapter 1088: Litter Prevention and Control Ordinance
Reporting Complaints
Please report complaints related to illegal dumping and litter to the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246.
We will investigate the complaint and if a violation exists, determine the responsible party, and follow up with the appropriate enforcement action. You are not required to tell us your name or file a complaint; however, if you choose to remain anonymous, we will be unable to follow up with you as to the outcome of our investigation.
- Garbage Storage
- Illegal Dumping
- Litter Control
- Trash At Construction Sites
- Trash and Discarded Items
Storage on Private Property
- Trash and garbage must be stored in a container with a tight fitting lid
- Garbage may not be placed outside solely in plastic bags
- Garbage must be removed for disposal at least every two weeks
The Department of Planning and Zoning responds to complaints of improper garbage storage by advising the property owner or occupant to clean up all loose trash and place bags of garbage in a sturdy, covered trash can.
If the garbage has been accumulating for more than two weeks, staff will request that the owner or occupant either contact a solid waste collection company or take the trash to the county landfill where it may be disposed of for a fee.
Illegal Dumping
It is unlawful to dispose of trash or garbage by:
- Burning
- Burying
- Dumping it on the ground
- Dropping it off at an unauthorized place such as public or private property, streets, or alleys
Illegal dumping also includes the unauthorized disposal of concrete or asphalt on a vacant lot, field, or wooded area.
Reporting Illegal Dumping
If you observe someone illegally dumping, please report the incident to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-777-1021. To report a dump site on private property, call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246. It is important to provide as much information as possible including a description of the violator, vehicle, tag number, and location of the site.
The presence of an illegal dump should be reported to the Department of Planning and Zoning so that staff can notify the property owner to request that the dump be cleaned up. Land owners are required by law to remove any trash dumped on their property even if they did not cause the dump.
Litter Control
The litter control ordinance mandates:
- All litter to be disposed in either private or public receptacles
- Puts the responsibility on property owners to maintain their premises in a litter-free manner
Makes littering and litter illegal - Imposes fines ranging from $250 to $2,500 for those caught dumping trash on public or private property
- Requires all construction sites to have receptacles for both construction waste and workers’ litter
- Anyone transporting trash in the county in an open or uncovered vehicle is required to cover the vehicle’s load with a tarp or other suitable cover
- Requires business owners and operators to keep adjacent public areas such as sidewalks and alleys free of litter
- Requires litter receptacles at locations frequented by the public
- Allows for removal of litter by the county at the owner’s expense in instances where the property owner is unwilling or unable to remove accumulations of litter upon notice to do so
Reporting Littering
- Report littering incidents to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021
- Report complaints about roadside litter or trash to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) at 703-383-8368
Trash at Construction Sites
Construction Waste
- Construction sites are required to have a trash receptacle for both construction waste and worker's litter, and all waste must be placed in these containers
- Both the land owner and the contractor in charge of the construction site are required to keep the property free of litter
The Department of Planning and Zoning responds to complaints of overflowing trash containers at construction sites, waste on the ground at a construction site, and litter blowing from a construction site.
Items on Private Property
The exterior of all properties must be kept free of:
- Accumulated litter
- Discarded items such as furniture and appliances
- Trash
All waste must be disposed of properly and may not be left in a yard, on a sidewalk, or in a street or alley. The Department of Planning and Zoning responds to complaints of accumulations of trash on property by advising the property owner or occupant to remove the trash within a specified period of time. The department also responds to complaints about an abandoned vehicle on private property.
The owner or occupant may either contact a solid waste collection company or take the trash to the county landfill where it may be disposed of for a fee. If the trash is not removed, the County is authorized to remove the trash at the risk and expense of the land owner.