How Daly City Handles Trash & Recycling: A Practical Guide

Daly City maintains 102 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Daly City falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Bin Placement Rules

Carts must be placed curbside on the collection day with wheels facing the curb and lids closed. Republic Services collects on a route-specific weekday; carts should be returned from the curb within 24 hours of pickup per Chapter 8.12. Overloaded or improperly stored carts can trigger a notice of violation.

Key details: Set-out time: By 6:00 a.m. on collection day (Republic guidance). Cart clearance: ~3 ft between carts and from cars/obstructions. Lid rule: Lids must close fully — no overflow. Storage: Carts must be stored off the public right-of-way between pickups. Code Enforcement: (650) 991-8260.

Improperly stored or overflowing carts may receive a courtesy notice followed by an administrative citation. Chronic violations (e.g., carts left curbside all week) are pursued by the Daly City Code Enforcement Division at (650) 991-8260 under Chapter 8.12 and applicable nuisance provisions.

Bulk Item Disposal

Republic Services offers each Daly City single-family customer one free on-call bulky goods collection per calendar year. Residents may set out either multiple bagged/boxed/bundled items OR up to two large items (each up to 200 lbs and 3' x 6'), including appliances, mattresses, and electronics. Schedule by calling (650) 756-1130.

Key details: Free pickups: 1 per single-family account per calendar year. Schedule: (650) 756-1130 or InfoDalyCity@RepublicServices.com. Option A: Multiple bagged / boxed / bundled items. Option B: Up to 2 large items, ≤200 lbs and ≤3' × 6' each. Accepted: Appliances, mattresses, electronics (e-waste).

Setting out bulky items at the curb without scheduling a pickup is treated as illegal dumping under Chapter 8.32 and may result in administrative citations starting at $1,000 for a first illegal-dumping violation. Hazardous waste mixed into bulky pickup is rejected and may trigger code-enforcement follow-up.

Daly City is more permissive than most cities when it comes to bulk item disposal. That said, there are still limits.

Illegal Dumping

Daly City Municipal Code Chapter 8.32 (Illegal Dumping and Littering), repealed and replaced December 14, 2020, sets escalating administrative fines: littering $250 / $500 / $1,000 and illegal dumping $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 within 12 months. Major violations reach $10,000. Report dumping in progress to Police at (650) 992-1225.

Key details: Code: Daly City MC ch. 8.32 (replaced Dec 14, 2020). Littering fines: $250 / $500 / $1,000 (1st/2nd/3rd in 12 mo). Illegal dumping fines: $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000. Major violation fines: $5,000 / $7,500 / $10,000. Report — in progress: Police (650) 992-1225.

First-offense illegal dumping carries a $1,000 administrative citation; third offense within 12 months is $5,000. Major-violation dumping can be $5,000–$10,000. Failure to comply with a 24-hour cleanup notice on private property results in city cleanup at the owner's cost. State criminal charges under Penal Code §374.3 may apply for larger dumping incidents.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Daly City actively enforces its illegal dumping requirements.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Republic Services is Daly City's exclusive franchise hauler under Municipal Code Title 8 (Health and Safety), Chapter 8.12 (Garbage). All residential and commercial accounts must subscribe to garbage, recycling, and organics service; rates vary by cart number and size. Customer service: (650) 756-1130.

Key details: Hauler: Republic Services (exclusive franchise). Customer service: (650) 756-1130. Cart system: 3 carts: grey trash, blue recycling, green organics. Code chapters: Daly City MC ch. 8.12 (Garbage), 8.14 (Recyclables), 8.80 (Organics). Organics ordinance: Ord. No. 1452 (adopted Nov 22, 2021); effective Jan 1, 2022.

Failure to subscribe to garbage service is a Chapter 8.12 violation enforceable via the city's administrative citation schedule. Self-haul or unfranchised hauling within Daly City is prohibited under the exclusive franchise. Mandatory organics subscription violations (Chapter 8.80) are enforced beginning with notices of violation and progressing to administrative fines consistent with the CalRecycle SB 1383 enforcement framework.

Recycling Requirements

Recycling participation is mandatory in Daly City under Municipal Code Chapter 8.14 (Recyclable Materials) and the California Mandatory Commercial Recycling Act (AB 341). All residents and businesses receive a blue single-stream cart from Republic Services; covered materials must not be placed in trash. Multi-family and commercial generators must also subscribe to recycling.

Key details: Local code: Daly City MC ch. 8.14 (Recyclable Materials). State laws: AB 341 (commercial recycling), AB 1826 (organics), SB 270 (plastic bag ban). Cart: Blue single-stream cart from Republic Services. Accepted: Paper, cardboard, glass, metal cans, rigid #1/#2/#5 plastics. Never accepted: Plastic bags, food waste, hazardous waste, e-waste in blue cart.

Failure to subscribe to recycling service (residential or commercial) is a Chapter 8.14 violation. Significant contamination of the blue cart may result in cart non-collection plus contamination surcharges set by the franchise agreement. Commercial AB 341 non-compliance is enforced jointly with CalRecycle.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Daly City actively enforces its recycling requirements requirements.

Yard Waste Collection

Daly City Municipal Code Chapter 8.80 (Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction), added by Ordinance No. 1452 (adopted Nov 22, 2021, effective Jan 1, 2022), implements California SB 1383. All residents and businesses must subscribe to green-cart organics service combining yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. Putting yard waste in trash or recycling is a violation.

Key details: Local code: Daly City MC ch. 8.80 (Ord. No. 1452). Effective: January 1, 2022. State law: California SB 1383; PRC §42652.5. Green cart accepts: Yard trimmings, food scraps, food-soiled paper. Not accepted: Plastic bags, pet waste, diapers, treated/painted wood.

Single-family violations during the state's tiered enforcement program may begin with notices and education, escalating to administrative fines of $50 first violation, $100 second, and $250 third per CalRecycle's SB 1383 framework (PRC §42652.5). Commercial and multi-family generators face higher penalties up to $500/day. Repeat or willful non-subscription to organics service is enforceable under Chapter 8.80.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Daly City actively enforces its yard waste collection requirements.

The Bottom Line

Daly City is tougher than many cities when it comes to trash & recycling. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Daly City, 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 Daly City 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.