Cedar Park's Trash & Recycling: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles trash & recycling a little differently. In Cedar Park, Texas, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Bin Placement Rules

Republic Services requires Cedar Park carts at the curb by 7 a.m., with wheels facing the curb, spaced at least 3 feet apart, and weighing no more than 75 pounds each.

Key details: Set-out time: By 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Cart orientation: Wheels toward the curb. Minimum spacing: 3 feet from carts and obstacles. Cart weight limit: 75 pounds. Collection hours (residential): 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m..

Carts that are blocked, overfilled (>75 lbs), or placed with the lid open will be skipped by Republic Services, and the resident must wait for the next collection. Repeated obstruction or improper placement that creates a sanitation nuisance can be cited under Cedar Park's general penalty (Sec. 1.01.009) at up to $2,000 per day for public health and sanitation violations.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Cedar Park contracts solid waste collection through a non-exclusive franchise (Republic Services). Trash is collected weekly and recycling every other week; carts must be set out by 7 a.m. on collection day.

Key details: Trash frequency: Weekly. Recycling frequency: Every other week. Set-out deadline: 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Base monthly rate: $21.42 (95-gal trash + 95-gal recycle). Quiet collection window: No collection 6 p.m. - 7 a.m. near residential.

Operating an unfranchised collection business is a Code violation enforceable under the City's general penalty (Sec. 1.01.009), which authorizes fines up to $500 for general offenses and up to $2,000 for violations of rules governing public health and sanitation, including refuse and waste. Each day of continued violation is a separate offense.

Bulk Item Disposal

Republic Services collects up to 7 bulk items or extra bags per household per week on the normal trash day. Bundled tree/brush trimmings must be no more than 4 feet long, 4 inches in diameter, and 40 pounds.

Key details: Weekly bulk allowance: 7 items outside the cart. Bundle dimensions: Max 4 ft long x 4 in diameter. Bundle weight cap: 40 pounds. Extra pickups: Schedule with Republic at 512-215-5050 (fee). Prohibited: Hazardous waste, tires, TVs, construction debris, propane, batteries.

Setting out prohibited bulk items (construction debris, hazardous waste, tires, TVs) or oversized bundles will result in the items being left behind. Persistent placement of bulk waste in the right-of-way can be cited as a public health and sanitation violation under Sec. 1.01.009, with fines up to $2,000 per day. Disposal of hazardous waste or tires at the curb may also be referred for prosecution under Tex. Health & Safety Code §365.012.

Recycling Requirements

Recycling is collected every other week in the 95-gallon blue cart. Cedar Park prohibits plastic bags, Styrofoam, pizza boxes, shredded paper, wet cardboard, and food-soiled items from the recycling stream.

Key details: Frequency: Every other week. Cart: 95-gallon blue, single-stream. Included in base rate: Yes ($21.42/month). Not accepted: Plastic bags, Styrofoam, pizza boxes, shredded paper, wet cardboard, glass other than bottles. State preemption: Tex. HB 2127 (2023) limits local recycling/material mandates.

Heavily contaminated carts may be tagged and skipped by Republic Services. Repeatedly using the recycle cart for trash can result in service warnings; the City has no separate fine schedule for residential recycling contamination, but persistent misuse that creates a nuisance is enforceable under Sec. 1.01.009 (up to $2,000/day for sanitation violations).

Yard Waste Collection

Yard trimmings are recycled only during a 6-week spring window and a 2-week fall window; outside those dates they go to landfill as bulk. Trimmings must be in brown paper yard-waste bags or bundles (4 ft x 4 in, 40 lb max).

Key details: Spring recycling window: ~6 weeks (Mar 30 - May 8, 2026). Fall recycling window: 2 weeks (date varies annually). Bag type required: Brown paper yard-waste bags only. Bundle limits: 4 ft long, 4 in diameter, 40 lb max, tied with rope/twine. Outside windows: Counts toward 7-item bulk, sent to landfill.

Yard waste in plastic bags or non-conforming bundles will not be collected. Sweeping or dumping clippings onto streets and sidewalks violates Sec. 8.06.006(b) and is fineable up to $2,000/day under Sec. 1.01.009. Burning yard waste in violation of Article 18.10 or TCEQ rules can trigger municipal citations and TCEQ enforcement.

Illegal Dumping

Dumping refuse, yard waste, or litter on streets, sidewalks, or others' property is prohibited under Cedar Park Code Sec. 8.06.006(b) and is also a state offense under Tex. Health & Safety Code §365.012, with penalties scaling from Class C misdemeanor up to state-jail felony based on weight or volume.

Key details: Local citation: Cedar Park Code Sec. 8.06.006(b). Local fine cap: Up to $2,000/day (Sec. 1.01.009). State statute: Tex. Health & Safety Code §365.012. Felony threshold: >1,000 lbs or >200 cu ft. Storm drain dumping: Also a stormwater violation (illicit discharge).

Local citations under Sec. 8.06.006(b) carry fines up to $2,000 per day per Sec. 1.01.009. State charges under Tex. HSC §365.012 escalate by weight/volume: Class C (<5 lbs), Class B (5-500 lbs), Class A (500-1,000 lbs or commercial), state jail felony (>1,000 lbs). Courts may order cleanup, community service, and vehicle impoundment for commercial dumping.

This is one of the stricter rules in Cedar Park's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Cedar Park's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Cedar Park is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Cedar Park can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.