Littering
ORS 164.805 — offensive littering is a Class C misdemeanor, and near the water a Class B
Offensive littering is intentionally discarding trash, garbage or other refuse on someone else's land without permission or on any public way, draining sewage or a camper's waste tank there, or letting trash be thrown from a vehicle the person is driving, in a way that creates a stench or degrades how the property looks or how clean or safe it is.
Who handles this in Oregon: Oregon State Bar Legal Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Oregon directory.
| Where | Offense | Most it can bring |
|---|---|---|
| WhereA public way, a park, a beach or someone else's land | OffenseOffensive littering, Class C misdemeanor | Most it can bring30 days and $1,250 |
| WhereLand within 100 yards of the waters of the state, outside a trash can, or into the water | OffenseClass B misdemeanor | Most it can bring6 months and $2,500 |
Near the water, the sentence can be picking it up. A court can suspend a hunting license, fishing license or boat registration for up to 90 days when the littering happened while using it. A fine can be worked off clearing trash from the shore at $25 a day, and any jail sentence is served at labor clearing trash, for one to five days.
A civil penalty from the environmental agency can be added on top of the criminal one. Whether a particular charge fits is a question for a licensed Oregon attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- ORS 164.805 — Offensive littering
- ORS 164.775 — Deposit of trash within 100 yards of waters or in waters
- ORS 161.615 — Maximum terms of imprisonment for misdemeanors
- ORS 161.635 — Fines for misdemeanors
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Oregon attorney.