Mayor Lee, CM Unger Propose Stronger Illegal Dumping Enforcement

Oakland, CA – Today, Councilmember Unger and Mayor Lee, are announcing an ordinance to combat illegal dumping. This ordinance will create greater penalties for dumping, including by vehicle owners who allow their vehicle to be used to dump. This will also create a new law, making transporting waste in a vehicle without a license plate an offense.

"This legislation sends a clear message that Oakland will not tolerate those who dump trash on our streets or profit off harming our neighborhoods, said Mayor Lee. "By strengthening enforcement, increasing penalties, and addressing the root causes of dumping, we are taking a comprehensive approach to keep Oakland clean and protect the communities most impacted by this issue."

"I am incredibly proud to introduce this ordinance to strengthen illegal dumping enforcement" said Councilmember Unger. "This ordinance is the culmination of months of work by our team, the Mayor's office, and city staff. I get calls all the time about illegal dumping and what we are doing to solve the problem. This legislation takes tangible action to mitigate and dissuade illegal dumping across Oakland."

The legislation reflects best practices identified through statewide, county, and Bay Area regional illegal dumping task forces and builds on years of research and collaboration with local governments, environmental agencies, and enforcement professionals. The ordinance focuses on strengthening administrative enforcement so the City can issue citations more quickly and hold violators accountable more effectively.

Ordinance Details:

Changes to Dumping Fines

• Currently, fines are 1st offense is $750, 2nd is $1,000 and 3rd is $1,500.
• This legislation would increase it to $1,500, $2,500 and $5,000 respectively.
• Currently, after 3 years the fine tiers reset. This legislation would eliminate that reset.

License Plate Requirements

• This legislation makes it a violation for anyone owning a car, or otherwise in possession of a car, to allow or use it for illegal dumping and for any person transporting waste without a license plate.

Streamlining enforcement

• The ordinance also strengthens accountability for vehicle owners and operators when a vehicle is used in illegal dumping and streamlines the City's administrative citation process to make enforcement faster and more effective. Violators will also have the option to perform community service in lieu of paying a financial penalty.

Equity

• Directs the City Administrator to measure enforcement outcomes and penalties in priority areas identified by the City's Geographic Equity Toolkit
• Directs the City Administrator to initiate an illegal dumping problem solving process that is driven by the root cause analysis of the chronic presence of trash in priority areas of the city

Education

• Oakland continues to promote education and education of legal dumping measures, including free annual bulky waste pickup and drop-off services available to Oakland residents through Waste Management. These services are intended to help residents dispose of large items legally and prevent illegal dumping before it occures.
• The ordinance also strengthens accountability for vehicle owners and operators when a vehicle is used in illegal dumping and streamlines the City's administrative citation process to make enforcement faster and more effective. Violators will also have the option to perform community service in lieu of paying a financial penalty.

Addressing Root Causes and Equity

• Illegal dumping disproportionately impacts historically disinvested neighborhoods and communities of color in Oakland. To ensure enforcement strategies are equitable and effective, the ordinance directs the City Administrator to measure enforcement outcomes and penalties in priority areas identified by the City's Geographic Equity Toolkit.
• The City Administrator is also directed to initiate an illegal dumping problem-solving process that is driven by root cause analysis of the chronic presence of trash in priority areas of the City as defined by the Geographic Equity Toolkit to develop parallel comprehensive strategies that address complex challenges.
• In addition to enforcement, Oakland continues to promote education and legal disposal options, including free annual bulky waste pickup and drop-off services available to Oakland households through Waste Management. These services are intended to help residents dispose of large items legally and prevent illegal dumping before it occurs.