Illegal dumping is the act of discarding waste in an improper or illegal manner; for example, throwing trash on the sidewalk or leaving a mattress or furniture on the street. Although this has been an issue in the community for many years, the County of San Mateo envisions a future that is free of litter and illegal dumping. Please continue reading to learn more about this issue and what you can do to keep our neighborhood clean!

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Resource Guide to Prevent Illegal Dumping

Do you need to throw away large bulky items, such as mattresses, furniture, or electronics? Not sure how to get rid of them? Our resource guide provides information on what you can do to prevent illegal dumping, such as schedule a bulky item pick up, donate to a local thrift store, or visit the Shoreway Environmental Center. .

County of San Mateo Illegal Dumping Ordinance

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has adopted an ordinance that deems illegal dumping and littering against the law, and violations can result in fines up to $3,000. Enforcement of these new regulations will help to deter illegal dumping and littering and clean up our neighborhoods. 

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Neighborhood Clean Ups

The Office of Supervisor Warren Slocum, the North Fair Oaks Community Council, and Recology have teamed up to present the Annual NFO Clean-Up Day. Previous events were a huge success with over 175 volunteers collecting trash and garbage throughout the community.

Additional Information and Resources
Code Compliance Fair Oaks Beautification Association Office of Sustainability Recology
Report it! SMC

The County of San Mateo launched a new app called "Report It! SMC" which can be downloaded to your smartphone or used on your desktop. The new app allows citizens, residents, and visitors to report illegal dumping quickly and easily. Simply take a photo of illegally dumped items and submit your report from your phone! Once submitted, reports are sent directly to County staff to respond and address the issues.  Click here for more information.