C.L.E.A.N. Daly City

How does illegal dumping affect me?

Illegal dumping has impacts on our community’s health, safety, and even property values. The daily removal of debris prevents 3-4 City staff from performing more important projects like sidewalk and street repairs, street sign replacement, and landscaping maintenance projects. Over 7,000 hours are spent every year on removal, costing taxpayers approximately $300,000/year. Your garbage rates are also impacted by the costs for Republic Services to remove and dispose of the illegally dumped items.

How does the City plan to address illegal dumping?

The City will be tackling this issue by using the 4 E’s: 1. Education, 2. Engagement, 3. Enforcement, and 4. Eradication. 

What happens if someone is caught littering or dumping?

On December 14, 2020, the City Council repealed and replaced Chapter 8.32-Illegal Dumping and Littering of the Daly City Municipal Code. The purpose and intent, by repealing and replacing this Chapter, is to protect public and private property from litter and illegal dumping by increasing remedies for victims and increasing penalties for violators in order to discourage such acts. Chapter 8.32 establishes four Administrative Citation Schedules:

The first schedule addresses Administrative Citations for Littering. Violators will be charged $250.00 for the first violation; $500.00 for the second; and $1,000.00 for the third, within a 12-month period.

The second schedule addresses Administrative Citations for Illegal Dumping. Violators will be charged $1,000.00 for the first violation; $2,500.00 for the second; and $5,000.00 for the third. Additionally, violators shall be provided a 24-hour notice of clean-up or will be subject to the additional cost of clean-up and disposal arranged by the City.

The third schedule addresses Administrative Citations for Failure to Abate by Private Property Owners. Violators will be charged $500.00 for the first violation; $1,000.00 for the second violation; and $3,000.00 for the third violation. Additionally, property owners shall be provided a 72-hour notice of clean-up or will be subject to the additional cost of clean-up and disposal arranged by the City. 

The fourth schedule addresses Administrative Citations for Major Violations. Violators will be charged: $5,000.00 for the first major violation; $7,500.00 for the second major violation; and $10,000.00 for the third major violation. Additionally, violators shall be provided a 24-hour notice of clean-up or will be subject to the additional cost of clean-up and disposal arranged by the City.

Any person receiving an administrative citation may request an appeal hearing with a Hearing Officer, designated by the City Manager.