Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping is the disposing of waste in unauthorized or unpermitted areas. Illegal dumping is commonly found in uninhabited desert areas, open lots, along roadways, in alleys and at construction sites. Most illegal dumping occurs to avoid either disposal fees at landfills or the time and effort required for proper disposal.
Items illegally dumped may include:
  • Appliances
  • Business trash
  • Chemicals and/or medical waste
  • Construction and demolition waste
  • Furniture

  • Household garbage
  • Landscape and yard waste
  • Mattresses
  • Tires
  • Waste/used oil

Report Illegal Dumping in Maricopa County


Illegal dumping in Maricopa County that is outside of city limits can be reported online to the Environmental Services Complaint Line or by phone, by calling 602-506-6616.
For illegal dumping on public rights-of-way, you may call Maricopa County Department of Transportation at: 602-506-DUMP.

Environmental Health Code Enforcement


The Department investigates citizen's complaints of illegal dumping to protect the health of Maricopa county residents through Maricopa County Environmental Health Code enforcement. The Department does not provide cleanup or collection services.


What to do About Illegal Dumping in Maricopa County


Report it! Identify the exact location of the dumpsite. Identify the closest major cross streets. Try to identify the person or Company that did the illegal dumping. Describe what is in the dumpsite. Do not enter or dig through the site.

City Contacts


If the dumpsite is within one of the following Cities, listed below, visit their web page and report it online or contact them by phone.

Maricopa County Waste & Recycling Resources


To help residents reduce the amount of waste deposited in illegal dumping sites and at local landfills, Maricopa County has several household hazardous waste collection and recycling locations throughout the valley. For more information on Maricopa County waste and recycling locations, please visit the Waste Resources & Recycling section of the Water, Sewage, Stormwater & Waste page.