The Los Cabos Department of Ecology and Environment has imposed more than 2 million pesos (roughly $100,000 USD) in fines against individuals and businesses caught illegally dumping trash and construction debris at unauthorized sites across the municipality.
Mayor Christian Agúndez Gómez ordered the zero-tolerance enforcement policy, which targets repeat offenders and unlicensed waste haulers operating outside designated disposal areas. Inspections have increased in both San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, with ecology officials focusing on illegal dump sites that have appeared on vacant lots, roadsides, and the outskirts of residential neighborhoods.
Fines Range From $70 to $70,000 USD Per Violation
The crackdown is part of a broader municipal campaign that has been building since late 2024. Between September 2024 and June 2025, the department issued 18 fines for illegal dumping, with individual penalties ranging from $70 to $70,000 USD, according to data from the Environmental Management and Regulation Department. The cumulative total now exceeds the 2 million peso mark.
Nataly Cruz Ocampo, the Director of Ecology and Environment for Los Cabos, has been a public advocate for stronger enforcement. Cruz Ocampo has also voiced support for a proposed state law in the Baja California Sur Congress that would make illegal dumping a criminal offense carrying up to three years in prison.
State Lawmakers Push for Prison Time
That legislative proposal, introduced in June by Representative Erick Agúndez of the Green Ecologist Party, would classify littering in public or restricted spaces as a crime. Penalties under the bill could include up to three years of prison time, a fine of 100 to 500 days’ wages, and 100 to 200 days of community service. Offenders could be required to clean the areas they polluted.
For property owners and residents who hire construction or landscaping crews, the enforcement push carries a practical warning. Contractors or service providers caught disposing of waste at unauthorized sites face significant financial penalties. Homeowners should confirm that any hired operators hold proper licenses and use authorized disposal facilities to avoid potential liability.
Illegal dump sites near residential areas in Los Cabos have long been a source of complaints, creating health hazards and attracting pests. The municipality’s rapid growth, driven by tourism and real estate development, has increased construction waste volumes in recent years.
Originally reported by the Los Cabos municipal government via loscabos.gob.mx.