Reno's Trash & Recycling: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles trash & recycling a little differently. In Reno, Nevada, there are 9 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.

Collection Schedule

Every property in Reno that generates solid waste must subscribe to the city's exclusive collection, hauling, and disposal service under RMC 5.90: self-hauling instead of subscribing is not allowed.

Key details: Requirement: Subscribe to city's collection service. Governing section: RMC § 10.08.045. Provider: City-contracted exclusive hauler only. Penalty: Misdemeanor, RMC § 10.08.090. Self-hauling: Not permitted within city limits.

Failing to subscribe to collection service is a misdemeanor under RMC § 10.08.090, punishable per § 1.04.010; the city also holds the exclusive right to collect waste under § 10.08.040.

Compared to other cities, Reno takes a harder line on collection schedule. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Illegal Dumping

Dumping waste on any lot, street, alley, ditch, or waterway within Reno city limits is unlawful under RMC § 10.08.020, with fines up to $1,000 or six months in jail.

Key details: Governing section: RMC § 10.08.020. Max fine: $1,000 per offense. Max jail time: 6 months. Continuing violation: Each day is separate offense.

Misdemeanor: fine of $1 to $1,000, up to 6 months in city jail, or both. Each day of continued violation is a separate offense.

Recycling Rules

Reno residential customers are encouraged but not required to recycle; those who do must use the city's exclusive franchised hauler under RMC § 5.90.060, not an independent recycler.

Key details: Recycling status: Optional, not mandatory. Trash service: Mandatory unless exempted. Recyclables hauler: Exclusive franchised contractor only. Exemption approval: Washoe County Health District required. Governing section: RMC § 5.90.060.

Letting anyone but the franchised hauler collect or transport your recyclables violates the exclusive franchise under RMC §§ 5.90.050(c) and 5.90.110; the city and its contractor can enforce against the violation.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Reno gives residents more flexibility on recycling rules.

Yard Waste Collection

Reno defines green waste narrowly for curbside recycling: branches under 3 inches across, brush, grass clippings, leaves, and stripped-down Christmas trees placed in a collection container.

Key details: Branch size limit: under 3 inches diameter. Christmas trees: cut into 2-ft sections, no stands. Service: franchised hauler, subscription mandatory. Placement: must be source-separated in a container.

Green waste not source-separated or bagged loose curbside can be rejected as contamination by the hauler; failing to subscribe to mandatory collection service is a misdemeanor under RMC Chapter 1.05/1.04.010.

Dumpster Rules

Reno requires a code enforcement permit before placing any dumpster or large mobile receptacle in a public right-of-way, and dumpsters must stay locked shut except when loading.

Key details: Permit required for: right-of-way placement. Issuing office: code enforcement division. Permit term: one year. Denial trigger: remodel over $50,000.

Violations fall under RMC Chapter 1.05 and can bring permit revocation, suspension, or summary suspension by the code enforcement division; general code violations are misdemeanors under section 1.04.010.

Bulk Item Disposal

Reno's standard cart service does not include furniture, mattresses, or appliances: bulky items are excluded materials that residents must schedule separately, at a fee, through a licensed hauler.

Key details: Standard cart pickup: Does not include bulky items. Covers: Furniture, mattresses, appliances, carpets. How to dispose: Schedule paid special pickup. Curbside without arrangement: Unlawful dumping, misdemeanor.

Leaving bulky items at the curb, in an alley, or on a lot without an arranged pickup is unlawful dumping of waste matter under RMC § 10.08.020, punishable as a misdemeanor under § 10.08.090 or subject to Chapter 1.05 civil penalties.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Reno property owners and occupants must subscribe to the city's exclusive solid waste and recycling collection service: self-hauling or hiring an outside hauler is not allowed under Reno Municipal Code § 10.08.045.

Key details: Subscription: Mandatory for every property. Hauler: City's exclusive contractor only. Container rule: Must stay accessible, not in street. Penalty: Misdemeanor under § 1.04.010.

Failing to subscribe or using an unauthorized hauler is a misdemeanor under RMC § 1.04.010, or the city may pursue civil penalties under Chapter 1.05 of the code.

Compared to other cities, Reno takes a harder line on pickup rules & schedules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Bin Placement Rules

Reno requires trash and recycling receptacles to stay accessible for pickup but bans placing them in streets or alleys, locked enclosures, or spots that create a nuisance; dumpsters in the public right-of-way need a city permit.

Key details: Street/alley: Receptacles barred from street or alley. Locked storage: Not allowed: must stay accessible. ROW dumpsters: City permit required, one year. Disputes: District health officer decides, final. Penalty: Misdemeanor under RMC § 1.04.010.

Violating the receptacle-placement rule is a misdemeanor under RMC § 1.04.010 or a Chapter 1.05 civil code-enforcement violation. Placing a dumpster in the right-of-way without a permit can bring denial, suspension, or revocation of the permit plus the same penalties.

Recycling Requirements

Reno's contracted hauler must offer recycling to every residential customer, but participation is voluntary: only the mandatory trash subscription and exclusive collection rights are enforced by the city.

Key details: Recycling participation: encouraged, not mandatory. Trash subscription: mandatory for every residence. Collection hauler: single exclusive city contractor. Exemption route: written WCHD approval required.

Using an unauthorized hauler for recyclable materials violates the contractor's exclusive right under RMC § 5.90.060 and can trigger enforcement under RMC Chapter 1.05; skipping the mandatory solid-waste subscription risks code enforcement absent a WCHD exemption.

The Bottom Line

Reno 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 Reno, 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 Reno 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.