Illegal dumping isn’t just unsightly, it’s also hazardous. Illegal dumping incidents have been rising in neighborhoods where homeowners find piles of trash in their backyard overnight, on commercial lots where business owners open up in the morning to find their dumpsters overflowing with someone else’s trash, and at recycling centers where construction materials are stuffed among the recyclables.
According to the Indianapolis municipal code, it is illegal to deposit or place unwanted items, trash, scraps, and other debris on private and public property without permission. Illegal dumping creates a public health and environmental safety hazard, and attracts rodents and other pests. Illegal dumping is a punishable offense; and fines can be as much as $2,500.
Earlier this year, the city allocated $5 million in funding to address illegal dumping, targeting areas were there have been several reports of dumping, particularly in alleyways.
The city urges citizens to report illegal dumping through RequestIndy or by calling the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622. Include details about where the garbage is located, if you witness the dumping, and the violator’s vehicle and license plate number.
When the Dept. of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS) receives or gathers sufficient evidence to identify someone that has allegedly committed an illegal dumping violation, an administrative hearing will be scheduled and notice of the hearing will be mailed to the alleged violator. If the hearing officer determines that there is sufficient evidence and testimony to prove the person identified committed an illegal dumping violation, they may assess a fine of up to $2,500 per instance to the violator.
Even in the case of illegal dumping, a property owner is still responsible for cleaning the trash/debris that was dumped. DBNS will send notification to the property owner; and the property owner will have 10 days from the date on the notice to clean the trash and/or submit an Illegal Dumping Affidavit. If an affidavit is submitted and the case meets these illegal dumping abatement assistance requirements, DBNS may provide no-cost clean-up services.
Some individuals who offer to remove trash for a fair price illegally dump that trash to save on disposal costs. Check the hauler’s, background, references, and whether they are licensed by the City of Indianapolis. You can also ask how they plan to dispose of the trash and whether they are willing to provide a copy of the disposal receipt.
