What is illegal dumping?
Illegal dumping is the improper disposal of waste in unauthorized locations, often done to avoid paying disposal fees. Commonly dumped items include yard waste, tires, appliances, construction materials, and household garbage.
Illegal dumping differs from littering in scale and intent. Litter typically refers to smaller, scattered waste such as loose paper, plastic bags, food wrappers, and drink containers. In contrast, illegal dumping involves larger, bulkier items and is considered a more serious offense with greater penalties.
Heat Map Overview: Illegal Dumping Hotspots in Lee County
This heat map visualizes the areas across Lee County with the highest concentrations of illegal dumping activity. The color gradient represents the frequency and severity of dumping incidents, with red and orange zones indicating the most impacted areas, while yellow and green zones reflect lower levels of activity.
Illegal dumps identified in Lee County 2025 (updated March 2025)
2025 Illegal Dumping
- 673 county-wide illegal dumping locations
- 3122 estimated cubic yards
Mosquito Control 2025 Tire Hotspots
Frequency of Illegal Dumps Since 2017
Why is illegal dumping a problem in our community?
Illegal dumping harms more than just the environment—it affects our quality of life. Key issues include:
- Pollution: Contaminates land, soil, air, and water, creating serious health and safety risks.
- Cost to taxpayers: Cleanup and enforcement are expensive and funded by public dollars.
- Fire hazards: Dumped materials can easily become fuel for fires, especially in dry areas.
- Unsightly: Illegal dumping makes neighborhoods less desirable and impacts real estate.
- Harm to wildlife: Debris can injure animals or destroy their habitats.
- Damaged community appearance: Piles of illegally dumped waste ruin the cleanliness and aesthetics of our neighborhoods.
Keeping our community clean and beautiful starts with all of us. Report illegal dumping and help be part of the solution.
How Lee County Tackles Illegal Dumping
Illegal dumping continues to be a persistent challenge in Lee County — driven by rapid development, ongoing construction, and vacant lots. These acts not only create unsightly messes but also negatively impact community pride and the environment.
Lee County takes a proactive, team-based approach to combat this issue.
A dedicated task force — made up of staff from Solid Waste, Code Enforcement, Natural Resources, and the Lee County Department of Transportation (LCDOT) — conducts monthly inspections and cleanup sweeps across the county.
You can help. If you witness illegal dumping, report it right away: