How Coral Gables Handles Trash & Recycling: A Practical Guide

Coral Gables maintains 147 local ordinances across all categories, and 9 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Coral Gables falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dumpster Rules

Any contractor placing a roll-off dumpster for construction debris, demolition, or bulky waste in Coral Gables must first obtain a city franchise agreement before using streets or public rights-of-way.

Key details: Minimum container size: 10 cubic yards. Franchise term: 1 year, renewable annually. Residential collection hours: 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m., no Sundays. Minimum liability coverage: $500,000 general liability. Cure period after violation notice: 3 calendar days.

Providing roll-off waste service without a city franchise is a civil violation fined under Sec. 1-7; each day of violation is a separate offense, and the city can void a franchise after a 3-day cure notice.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Coral Gables actively enforces its dumpster rules requirements.

Recycling Rules

Coral Gables requires every resident to sort recyclables into the city-issued bin and set it out beside the garbage can on collection day.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 54-149. Container: City-issued household recycling bin. Placement: Next to the garbage container. Accepted items: Newspaper, cardboard, cans, glass, plastic bottles. Max penalty: $500 fine / 60 days (Sec. 1-7).

Improper recycling setout or unauthorized removal of set-out recyclables is punishable under the general Code penalty, Sec. 1-7: up to a $500 fine, 60 days imprisonment, or both.

Collection Schedule

Coral Gables requires curbside garbage pickup at least twice weekly, plus a citywide weekly bulk trash and yard-waste collection along the parkway, with piles allowed out only from 6 p.m. the night before to 7 a.m. on pickup day.

Key details: Garbage pickup: at least twice weekly. Bulk/yard waste: citywide weekly collection. Accumulation limit: no more than 4 days. Set-out window: 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Early deposit fine: $100 civil penalty.

City Code § 54-146 imposes a $100 civil penalty for depositing trash before 6 p.m. the day preceding collection. Failing to maintain garbage service under Sec. 54-19 can trigger denial or revocation of a business tax receipt or certificate of use, punishable under Sec. 1-7.

Yard Waste Collection

Clean yard waste goes unbagged in organized piles on the parkway for weekly city pickup, with tree trunks cut to 3 feet.

Key details: Collection frequency: Once weekly. Yard waste form: Unbagged, organized piles. Tree trunk/stump limit: Max 3 feet long. Distance from trees/palms: 5 feet minimum. Curbside window: 6 p.m. day before to 7 a.m..

Violations of Sec. 54-146 are punished under Sec. 1-7's general penalty provisions; bagging yard waste or piling it against tree trunks/utilities is also enforceable under the same section.

Bulk Item Disposal

Coral Gables collects household refuse and clean yard waste weekly from the parkway, but bulky items like furniture and appliances need a scheduled special pickup, and tree trunks must be cut to three feet.

Key details: Collection frequency: Weekly, from the parkway. Tree trunk/stump size: Max 3 feet long. White goods: Special pickup appointment required. Placement window: 6 p.m. day before–7 a.m.. Bulky item fee: Set by city (§54-173).

Violating Sec. 54-146 is punishable under Sec. 1-7: up to $500 and 60 days' jail, or code enforcement board fines up to $1,000/day for a first violation, $5,000/day for a repeat.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Coral Gables provides backyard garbage collection twice weekly and curbside trash (yard debris/household items) once weekly for single-family homes. Garbage must be in sealed bags not exceeding 50 pounds in city-approved 30-gallon cans. Maximum two cans per residence. Multi-family properties use Waste Management dumpster service.

Key details: Garbage Pickup: Twice weekly, backyard. Trash Pickup: Once weekly, curbside. Container Limit: Two 30-gallon cans. Free Allowance: 1 cubic yard per week. Solid Waste Div: (305) 460-5346.

Placing garbage cans in the swale, driveway, or front yard violates city code. Cardboard in trash pits carries fines up to $500. Excess trash beyond 1 cubic yard without payment results in citations. Placing household items out before 6:00 PM the night before collection is a violation. Contact Code Enforcement at (305) 460-5216.

Illegal Dumping

Dumping garbage on any lot, street, alley, park, canal or waterway in Coral Gables is unlawful and draws a $500 civil penalty per violation under the city's solid waste code.

Key details: Governing section: Sec. 54-145. Fine: $500.00 civil penalty. Permit needed to transport garbage: Yes, city license required. Covers: Lots, streets, alleys, parks, waterways.

Civil penalty of $500.00 per violation for dumping trash, debris or waste on a lot or premises (Sec. 54-145); violations are also punishable under the general Code penalty section, Sec. 1-7, which allows up to a $500 fine, 60 days imprisonment, or both.

Compared to other cities, Coral Gables takes a harder line on illegal dumping. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Recycling Requirements

Coral Gables requires every resident to sort recyclables into the city-issued household recycling container and set it out beside the garbage container; only city-authorized collectors are permitted to take it.

Key details: Citation: Sec. 54-149, Code of Ordinances. Container: City-issued household recycling bin. Placement: Adjacent to garbage container. Penalty: Up to $500 fine or 60 days.

Violating Sec. 54-149 falls under the citywide general penalty (Sec. 1-7): a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both. Unauthorized removal of set-out recyclables is a separate, distinct violation.

Bin Placement Rules

Coral Gables requires garbage and recycling containers to sit beside the house behind the front building line, screened from street view, and emptied within the city's twice-weekly collection schedule.

Key details: Placement: Beside residence, behind front building line. Screening: Must be screened from street view. Collection frequency: Emptied twice weekly minimum (residential). Max accumulation: No more than four days' garbage. Citation: Code of Ordinances Sec. 54-142.

Violating placement or screening rules is punishable under Sec. 1-7 as a code offense; the schedule of civil penalties separately lists maintaining a garbage or waste receptacle in disrepair as a $100.00 civil penalty (CC 54-143).

The Bottom Line

Coral Gables is tougher than many cities when it comes to trash & recycling. Out of the 9 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Coral Gables, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Coral Gables 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.