Miami-Dade Church Faces Illegal Dumping, But County Offers Free Cleanup

Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church will not be fined for trash piles outside its building, officials say.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A South Florida church, Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church, has been dealing with repeated illegal dumping of trash and furniture outside its building, which the church says happens every few months. Initially, the county inspectors' response left church leaders concerned about potential fines, but after speaking with CBS News Miami, Miami-Dade County's Solid Waste Management department said it would remove the debris without charging the church.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges small, resource-constrained organizations like churches can face when dealing with illegal dumping, which is a persistent problem in many urban areas. The county's decision to provide free cleanup without fines demonstrates a pragmatic approach to supporting the community and discouraging further dumping.

The details

Someone has been ignoring "No Dumping" signs near the Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church property, leaving piles of trash, furniture, and a truck fuel tank on the sidewalk. Church leader Louis Daphnis said the cleanup could cost $500 to $600 per month, a significant burden for the church, which is currently undergoing renovations and has few members and little income. However, the Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management department said it has no record of issuing fines or citations related to the property since 2023 and will remove the debris, confirming the property is not considered an illegal dumping hotspot.

  • The church has received warnings from Miami-Dade County about the illegal dumping, which happens every few months.

The players

Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church

A South Florida church that has been dealing with repeated illegal dumping of trash and furniture outside its building.

Louis Daphnis

A church leader who said the cleanup could cost $500 to $600 per month, a significant burden for the church.

Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management

The county department that said it would remove the debris without charging the church and confirmed the property is not considered an illegal dumping hotspot.

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What they’re saying

“(This is going to cost) $500 to $600 a month,”

— Louis Daphnis, church leader (CBS News Miami)

“If we clean it, then next week, we're going to have them dump more stuff,”

— Louis Daphnis, church leader (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

The Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management department said it would remove the debris from the church property.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges small, resource-constrained organizations like churches can face when dealing with illegal dumping, and the county's decision to provide free cleanup without fines demonstrates a pragmatic approach to supporting the community and discouraging further dumping.