Trash & Recycling in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
7 verified trash & recycling rules for Chattanooga, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Chattanooga City Code § 18-46 limits residential curbside pickup to non-hazardous, on-site garbage in approved containers. Waste not generated on the premises, hazardous materials, and contractor construction debris are barred from the residential cart, and violators face City Court citation under the Department of Public Works.
Chattanooga Residential Refuse Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 18-46
(a)Refuse is waste generated in the normal occupation and use of a residential property. Residential refuse is defined as excluding any waste generated by contractors in the construction, remodeling or repair of houses.(b)Only non-hazardous garbage, refuse, and ashes generated on-site are eligible for residential collection. It is unlawful to place or attempt to dispose of hazardous waste throu...
Bin Placement Rules
Chattanooga sets exact placement rules for curbside cans, within 5 feet of a driveway or street for manual pickup, within 2 feet of the curb for mechanical carts, and bars putting trash out before the scheduled pickup day.
Chattanooga Trash Cart Placement
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 18-33(a)-(b)
All material shall be placed for pick-up on the day scheduled for pick-up in the particular area. No material shall be placed for pick-up before the day scheduled.(b)Special containers for the mechanical pick-up system shall be placed in a location suitable for mechanical pick-up. Generally, this shall be within two (2) feet of the curb or edge of pavement, at least three (3) feet from obstruct...
Bulk Item Disposal
Chattanooga residents must call the city to schedule bulky-item pickup, furniture and appliances over 50 pounds or 30 gallons, and can't set items at the curb more than 24 hours before the scheduled date.
Chattanooga Bulk Trash Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 18-86(a)
"Residential bulky trash" shall include household appliances, discarded furniture, or similar bulky materials having a weight greater than fifty (50) pounds and/or a volume greater than thirty (30) gallons. Residents who place such bulky trash at the curb for disposal must notify the City of Chattanooga to arrange for a scheduled pick up. No bulky trash may be lawfully set out for collection mo...
Recycling Requirements
Chattanooga collects recyclables biweekly in City-issued lidded bins, limited to clean aluminum, cardboard, paper, plastics numbered 1-7, tin cans, and food packaging: no glass or yard trash.
Chattanooga Curbside Recycling Rules
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 18-52
Recyclables placed out for collection must be placed inside City-issued recycle containers secured with a lid.(d)Only City-issued recycle containers will be serviced on recycle collection routes.(e)The City will only collect eligible curbside recyclable materials. Recyclable materials shall be collected as described in this section:1.Eligible curbside recyclable materials include all clean alum...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping rubbish, trash, or waste on Chattanooga vacant lots, streets, alleys, or in any stream or body of water is a misdemeanor citywide, punishable by a $10-$50 fine per Sec. 18-6 and Sec. 18-8.
Chattanooga Illegal Dumping Ban
Heavy RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 18-6(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to throw or deposit or to cause to be thrown or deposited, any rubbish or waste matter, except bricks, brick bats, cement, plaster, stones, gravel and cinders (and these only under permit from the city) in or upon any vacant lot or in any backyard, or on or upon any street or other public place in the city.
Yard Waste Collection
Chattanooga picks up residential yard trash only by scheduled request, capped at twelve pickups a year per property, with pieces limited to 8 feet long and 18 inches thick.
Chattanooga Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 18-86(b)
"Residential yard trash" shall include brush, bagged leaves, tree trimmings, branches and limbs, grass cuttings and garden trimmings, weeds, and roots from which all dirt has been removed. ... No item of residential yard trash placed for city collection shall be larger than eight (8) feet in length or eighteen (18) inches in diameter. ... Yard Trash collections will be limited to twelve (12) at...
Collection Schedule
Chattanooga picks up residential garbage weekly and recycling every other week, with both required at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day under Sec. 18-48.
Chattanooga Garbage Collection Schedule
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 18-48(a)
Residential garbage service shall be provided on a weekly basis. Curbside recycling service shall also be provided on a biweekly basis. Both residential garbage and recyclables must be placed at the curbside by 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection.b)The Director may increase the frequency of garbage service or recycling service at a service location in order to ensure safe and healthy disposal of...
Looking for Hamilton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chattanooga city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Hamilton County →