Depending upon the nature of the complaint, the process for addressing it will follow one of the options summarized below.
Litter Complaints That Should Be Referred to The Police
Solid Waste Management Program's (SWMP’s) statutory authority to enforce State statutes is expressly limited by state law. Requests for enforcement of § 33.2-802. of the Code of Virginia must be directed to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). To expedite the process, residents are encouraged to contact FCPD directly at 703-691-2131.
Litter Complaints That Should Be Referred to VDOT
Litter left on the side of a public roadway or the median strip must be directed to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Residents are encouraged to submit a service request to VDOT directly via Report a Road Problem - Virginia Department of Transportation or 1-800-367-7623.
Litter Complaints That Should be Referred to SWMP
The following complaints should be reported to SWMP-Enforcement at 703-324-5230, TTY 711 or via email at trashmail@fairfaxcounty.gov:
- Litter left on the sidewalk in front of residential or private property for more than 10 days.
- Missed refuse or recycling collection.
To register these litter complaints, please contact SWMP via our online request system PLUS. Remember to include your name and contact information, so that Enforcement personnel can respond.
Upon receipt, SWMP will review the specifics of the complaint and direct a service request to the appropriate county agency or other authority. A service request will be created and assigned to SWMP Enforcement personnel, who will contact the complainant directly. If an outside agency is responsible, residents will be encouraged to contact that agency directly, or SWMP can contact the appropriate group to explain the issue and provide a copy of the information provided in the complaint. The complaint will then become the responsibility of that agency to address and resolve.
Litter Complaints That Should Be Referred To The Department of Code Compliance (DCC)
The following complaints should be reported to DCC at 703-324-1300, TTY 711:
- Unattended trash or debris on private property, including the front, back or side yard (inside the property lines).
- Waste handling and management systems internal to a building (e.g., trash chutes).
- Litter complaints related to a blighted property.
Litter Complaints That Should Be Referred to Other County Agencies
- Litter at an active construction site must be directed to Land Development Services at 703-324-1720, TTY 711
- Litter at a county government facility should be referred to the county’s Facilities Management Division (FMD), which can be reached at 703-324-2825, TTY 711
- Litter at a county park and related operating facilities must be directed to the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) at 703-324-8700, TTY 711, or by contacting parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
- Litter at a facility otherwise regulated by Fairfax County (e.g., bars and restaurants, medical care facilities) should be referred to the Fairfax County Health Department - 703-246-2411, TTY 711
