San Juan County adopts ordinance doubling landfill penalties for untarped or unsecured loads; education period to precede enforcement

The San Juan County Commission on Aug. 19 approved an amendment to its consolidated fee schedule to implement new state requirements for untarped or unsecured loads at county landfill facilities.

Lede: County officials said the amendment is intended to change public behavior, not to raise revenue, and will be paired with an education campaign; the change follows a state law that requires landfills to assess extra fees for unsecured loads.

Nut graf: County landfill staff told commissioners the state law mandates at least a $10 fee for untarped or unsecured loads and gives counties discretion to increase the penalty to deter unsafe or littering loads. San Juan’s ordinance doubles the applicable tipping fee for noncompliant loads, adds a first‑offense education/warning, and includes a compliance tracking process ahead of mandatory state reporting in July 2026.

County landfill manager Matt (presenter) summarized the change: landfills must assess a fee for loads that are not "tarped and secured," and San Juan’s policy will double the normal tipping rate for those loads. "Our objective here is is to change the behavior, not to charge any additional fees," Matt said during the public hearing.

Under the adopted amendment, a small load that previously met the county minimum ($10) would be charged $20 if it arrived untarped; larger loads would see their existing tipping fee doubled if not tarped and secured. County staff said roughly 65–70% of vehicles arriving at San Juan landfills already arrive tarped and secured. The ordinance includes a grace-and-education period: landfill staff will explain the new rule to first-time offenders and record the incident; a second occurrence triggers the doubled tipping fee.

City-level concern and enforcement avenues: Commissioners noted a written objection from the City of Blanding asking the county to reconsider the fee. Commissioners also discussed enforcement tools and noted the state law expands enforcement options for municipal police — including civil fines and community-service penalties for repeat commercial violators — and requires state reporting of enforcement activity.

Public outreach: County staff said outreach will include newspaper notices, radio spots and on-site education at the landfill prior to the July 2026 deadline for mandatory state reporting and remittance.

Ending: The commission approved the ordinance amendment and directed staff to implement the education program before full enforcement begins.