Torrance council repeals municipal code section on illegal dumping to align with state law

The Torrance City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 3947 to repeal Section 8 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Division 4 of the Torrance Municipal Code, a housekeeping move staff said will remove confusion and align local code with state law on illegal dumping.

Public Works staff said California Penal Code section 374.3 preempts the city's municipal-code language, offers a more comprehensive set of penalties and creates mechanisms the city can use to recoup removal costs. Public Works staff, represented by Lily Myers, described the difference in penalties: the state penal code allows infraction fines with minimums and escalating maximums for repeat offenses (staff summarized statutory amounts for first, second and third or subsequent offenses and noted doubling of penalties for used tires), and permits courts to require removal or payment for removal of illegally dumped material.

Public comment and concerns: A resident supported the change in principle but urged the city to make lawful disposal easier and less expensive for residents. Another speaker opposed criminalizing poverty and recommended focusing on disposal infrastructure and targeting corporate or large-scale dumpers rather than individual residents.

Legal and administrative notes: City Attorney staff and public-works staff told council the ordinance change is a cleanup item to avoid conflict with the Penal Code; changes that expand services available to residents (for example, additional free collections) would require separate budgetary policy actions.

Outcome: Councilmember (name not specified in the record) moved to adopt Ordinance No. 3947; the motion carried unanimously. Staff will publish an ordinance summary as required by law. Council and staff noted that operational policy on bulky-item collection and apartment/complex pickup rules are separate questions for budget and policy discussion.