Environmental fines and Fixed Penalty Notices

The council uses a proportionate approach to environmental enforcement.

Where appropriate, officers may provide advice, education or warnings. In more serious cases, formal enforcement action may be taken. The aim is to encourage compliance, protect local communities and help keep Portsmouth safe, clean and tidy.

We want residents to understand their responsibilities, avoid penalties, and help keep Portsmouth safe, clean & tidy. If you’re not sure how to dispose of waste correctly, seek advice before acting.

A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) may be issued where there is evidence that an environmental offence has been committed.

Examples include:

• fly tipping
• littering
• household waste offences
• graffiti
• fly posting

An FPN provides an opportunity to resolve a matter without court proceedings.

Common misunderstandings

The following explanations will not normally result in a notice being withdrawn:

• not knowing the law
• bins being full
• leaving waste temporarily
• following what others were doing
• paying someone to take waste without checking they were authorised

Residents are responsible for ensuring waste is managed lawfully.

Paying an FPN discharges liability for prosecution for that offence and does not result in a criminal conviction. Once payment is received, the case is normally closed.

There is no formal right of appeal against an FPN. If you can provide clear evidence that another person committed the offence, you need to contact us and send us the evidence for review as soon as possible.

More information about FPNs

If you have received an FPN and need information about payment methods, payment deadlines or the council’s wider Fixed Penalty Notice process, visit our Fixed Penalty Notice page.