Keeping LA County Clean

A Quick Guide for Unincorporated Los Angeles County Residents

Illegal dumping can affect the appearance, safety, and quality of life in neighborhoods across Los Angeles County. When furniture, appliances, construction debris, trash, and other unwanted materials are left on sidewalks, streets, and other public areas, they can create hazards and detract from the appearance of our communities.

The good news is that preventing illegal dumping starts with simple choices and residents of unincorporated LA County have several no-cost and convenient ways to dispose of unwanted materials properly and report dumping when it occurs.

Smart Disposal Starts at Home

One of the best ways to prevent illegal dumping is to make sure unwanted items have a proper place to go.

Use Your Bulky Item Pickup Service

If you need to get rid of an old couch, mattress, appliance, or other large item that will not fit in your trash bin, your waste hauler can help. Most residents receive up to four free pickups each year for eligible bulky items and other materials, which makes it easy to dispose of old furniture or appliances responsibly.

Dispose of Hazardous Materials Properly

Some household items should never go in your trash or recycling bin. Batteries, electronics, household cleaners, and other hazardous materials require special handling.

Residents can use LA County’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events and permanent drop-off locations to dispose of these materials safely. Click here to find HHW collection locations, accepted materials, and events dates.

Quick Ways to Report Illegal Dumping

If you live in an unincorporated area and notice items left on a public street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way, reporting it is simple:

For illegal dumping on private property, unincorporated LA County residents should contact your local Building and Safety office through The Works app or the website.

If You Live in One of LA County’s 88 Cities

Not everyone receives illegal dumping services from Los Angeles County Public Works. Residents who live inside one of LA County’s 88 incorporated cities should contact their city directly to report illegal dumping.

Use the County’s Service Locator to help identify the appropriate local agency or city resource to contact.

Explore the Illegal Dumping Dashboard

Unincorporated LA County residents can also explore the Illegal Dumping Dashboard, an interactive tool that shows where illegal dumping has been reported and how cleanup efforts are progressing. The dashboard includes:

  • Reported incidents
  • Hot spots and trends
  • Data by Countywide Statistical Areas

Keeping an Eye on Illegal Dumping Hot Zones

Some locations experience illegal dumping more frequently than others. These reoccurring problem areas, often referred to as illegal dumping hot zones, receive additional monitoring and cleanup attention from Public Works.

Community reports are an important part of this effort. Reporting illegal dumping, even if an area has been reported before, helps Public Works maintain current information and prioritize cleanup efforts. The dashboard highlights these locations, giving residents a clear view of where extra attention is being focused and how community reports help guide cleanup efforts.