Knowledge Base

Illegal dumping is the dumping of any waste, whether it is oil, furniture, appliances, trash, litter or landscaping cuttings, etc., upon any public right-of-way, City/County property or private property, without the consent of the owner. 

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Washoe County Health District, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management conduct routine surveillance to apprehend any illegal dumpers. 

Illegal Dumping Penalties:

• First offense within the immediately preceding 2 years:  Misdemeanor.
• Second offense within the immediately preceding 2 years:  Gross misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 14 days but not more than 1 year
• Third or subsequent offense within the immediately preceding 2 years:  Gross misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for 1 year. 

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone who encounters an illegal dump site to report it.

If you observe illegal dumping in progress, please take down the following information and file a report using the link below.

• Date, time, and location of incident
• Description of items/materials being dumped
• Description of person(s) dumping
• Description of vehicle and license plate number

Report Illegal Dumping

Choose which Online Reporting System is appropriate

Did the incident occur in:

Unincorporated Washoe County This includes areas like Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, Cold Springs and Incline Village

City of Reno This includes areas like Stead, Damonte Ranch and Downtown Reno

City of Sparks This includes areas like Wingfield Springs and Downtown Sparks

Reno-Sparks Indian Colony This includes areas like the 2nd Street Walmart and Gold Ranch