Trash & Recycling in Cocoa, FL (2026)
7 verified trash & recycling rules for Cocoa, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Bin Placement Rules
Cocoa's Code sets exact windows for putting garbage carts at the curb: no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before collection, and in place by 6 a.m. on collection day to guarantee pickup. Carts can't block sidewalks or rights-of-way and must sit at least fifteen feet from any fire hydrant. Containers must come back off the curb the same day they're emptied.
Cocoa Garbage Cart Set-Out Rules
Some RestrictionsCocoa Code of Ordinances § 9-27
(a)Solid waste garbage carts may not be placed at the collection point prior to 5:00 p.m. on the day before collection. To be assured of pickup, solid waste shall be placed at the collection point prior to 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection.(b)Solid waste garbage carts shall not be placed in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise restrict the use of sidewalks, streets and rights-of-way by th...
Bulk Item Disposal
Cocoa's solid waste contractor must collect bulky, non-vegetative items like appliances and furniture from every residential customer whether or not they're containerized, under the franchise agreement codified at City Code § 9-22. Non-vegetative bulk trash runs on a set day once every other week, separate from the weekly garbage and recycling schedule.
Cocoa Bulk Trash Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsCocoa Code of Ordinances § 9-22
2.7.Bulk Trash: Shall mean any non-vegetative item which cannot be containerized, bagged or bundled; including, but not limited to, inoperative and discarded refrigerators, ranges, toilets, washers, dryers, water heaters, sinks, bicycles, and other similar appliances, household goods, and furniture and shall not be commingled with vegetative waste. ... Bulk Trash. ... Contractor shall be requir...
Recycling Requirements
Cocoa's solid waste franchise agreement, codified at City Code § 9-22, defines what counts as recyclable material and requires the city's contractor to collect it from every residential customer through the automated cart program. Recyclables have to go loose into the cart, not bagged, and paper, aluminum, and plastic HDPE and PET containers are named materials.
Cocoa Curbside Recycling Cart Rules
Some RestrictionsCocoa Code of Ordinances § 9-22
2.38.Recyclable Materials: Shall mean newspapers (including inserts), aluminum cans, plastic containers (HDPE and PET), brown, clear and green glass bottles and jars, and other solid waste materials added upon written Agreement between the City and the Contractor, when such materials have been either diverted from the remaining solid waste stream or removed prior to their entry into the remaini...
Illegal Dumping
Cocoa treats dumping or littering solid waste on public or private property as a public nuisance and a Code violation. Public littering under City Code § 9-34 is a Class II civil infraction, and improperly disposing of dangerous materials like flammables or bioinfectious waste is a Class IV violation, carrying fines up to $500 per incident.
Cocoa Illegal Dumping Penalties
Significant RestrictionsCocoa Code of Ordinances § 9-34
It is the intent of the city to prevent, in whatever way possible, the abuse of the environment of the city through acts of persons that are generally classified under the headings of "dumping" and "littering," which acts constitute a nuisance, severely burden the taxpayers of the city and adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare of the community for its residents and visitors an...
Yard Waste Collection
Cocoa requires yard waste to go out in a separate autocart from household garbage, with loose leaves, clippings and trimmings under three inches in diameter. Bulk vegetative debris like tree limbs and palm fronds has to be cut to four feet or less, no more than six inches thick, and under fifty pounds per piece, under City Code § 9-22.
Cocoa Yard Waste Collection Limits
Some RestrictionsCocoa Code of Ordinances § 9-22
Vegetative Waste. Contractor shall be required to provide collection and disposal services for all vegetative waste generated from residential customers. Vegetative waste shall be segregated from the garbage and household trash and placed in a separate autocart. All leaves and pine needles, ornamental shrubs, clippings and tree trimmings with branches less than 3 inches in diameter shall be pla...
Dumpster Rules
Cocoa requires commercial mechanical and roll-off containers to sit on a paved or concrete pad inside the property line, screened from public view by buildings, fencing or landscaping. Containers can't block utilities or foot and vehicle traffic, and none may sit in the public right-of-way without written city manager approval.
Cocoa Dumpster and Roll-Off Placement
Some RestrictionsCocoa Code of Ordinances § 9-29
Mechanical and rolloff containers and compactors shall be located within the boundary of the property and as required by this article. Mechanical and rolloff containers and compactors shall be situated on a stabilized, paved or concrete pad of adequate strength to provide proper access by collection vehicles. Adequate screening shall be provided by the buildings, landscaping, privacy fencing or...
Collection Schedule
Cocoa declares its solid waste collection service a direct benefit to every parcel in the city under Sec. 9-24, and Sec. 9-27 sets the practical timing: garbage carts cannot go to the curb before 5:00 p.m. the day before pickup, must be out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, and can never sit within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant or block a sidewalk or right-of-way.
Cocoa Trash Collection Schedule Rules
Some RestrictionsCocoa Code of Ordinances § 9-24; § 9-27(a)-(b)
It is hereby declared and determined by the city council that the collection services provided in this Code, including but not limited to the accomplishment of the purposes stated in this article, shall and do constitute a benefit to each parcel of real property within the city equal to or exceeding the cost of providing the collection and disposal service. ... (a)Solid waste garbage carts may ...
Looking for Brevard County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cocoa city rules.
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