Trash & Recycling in Fort Smith, AR (2026)
7 verified trash & recycling rules for Fort Smith, Arkansas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Bin Placement Rules
Fort Smith residents can't roll garbage and recycling carts to the curb before noon the day before pickup, and empty carts must be back off the right-of-way by midnight on collection day.
Fort Smith Trash Cart Set-Out Times
Some RestrictionsFort Smith City Code § 25-268(b)
For properties where the land use is residential, garbage cans, recycling containers, solid waste, and yard waste may not be set out at the street right-of-way for collection before 12:00 noon on the day before collection. Emptied garbage cans, recycle containers and uncollected material exceeding collection standards shall be removed from the street right-of-way no later than midnight the day ...
Bulk Item Disposal
Fort Smith residential customers get one free dial-a-truck pickup of up to five bulky items every three months, plus a separate paid brush-collection service for material too big for the yard-waste bin.
Fort Smith Bulk Item Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsFort Smith City Code § 25-278(c)(2)–(3)
Residential customers are entitled to pickup of up to five bulky items free of charge no more than one time every three months. Bulky items are defined as large household items including, but not limited to, appliances, couches, tables, chairs, carpet, mattresses, lawn mowers and outdoor grills.
Recycling Requirements
Every Fort Smith residential customer can get a free city recycle cart for curbside pickup, with cardboard, paper, plastics, aluminum, and tin commingled and collected every other week.
Fort Smith Curbside Recycling Cart Program
Light RestrictionsFort Smith City Code § 25-278(c)(6)
All residential customers are eligible to receive one city-owned recycle cart without additional charge, upon request to the department of solid waste services. Recycle carts may be available in 65-gallon or 95-gallon sizes, depending on availability, and will be delivered to the customer upon request. All household cardboard, paper, plastics, aluminum, and tin can be comingled in the cart for ...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping solid waste or animal carcasses anywhere in Fort Smith without the city administrator's advance written approval is unlawful, backed by fines that climb with each repeat offense.
Fort Smith Illegal Dumping Ban
Heavy RestrictionsFort Smith City Code § 25-266
It shall be unlawful for any person to dump or cause to be dumped any solid waste or to store for transfer or cause to be stored for transfer any animal carcass on any property in the city other than at a site approved in advance in writing by the city administrator.
Yard Waste Collection
Fort Smith picks up yard waste every other week and offers a paid brush service for bulkier limbs and trimmings.
Fort Smith Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsFort Smith City Code § 25-278(c), (c)(3)
Recyclables and yard waste will be collected, hauled, and disposed of every other week, according to a schedule determined by the city administrator or his/her designee. ... Customers may request brush collection services for bulk brush collection where bagging, boxing, or tagging for regular yard waste collection is not feasible. ... All tree trunks or branches must be in sections of less than...
Dumpster Rules
New commercial and multifamily development in Fort Smith must show dumpster location and a screening plan on its development plan before the city issues a building permit.
Fort Smith Dumpster Screening Rules
Some RestrictionsFort Smith City Code § 27-331-4(R)
The proposed location, description, and screening plan for dumpster facilities for garbage drop-off, storage, disposal, and pick-up; S. When the development is to be constructed in phases provide a development schedule showing the order of construction and approximate completion date for each phase; T. Preliminary architectural building elevations, listing of proposed building materials, a ...
Collection Schedule
The City of Fort Smith collects residential garbage once a week and picks up recyclables and yard waste every other week, on a schedule the city administrator sets.
Fort Smith Weekly Trash Collection
Some RestrictionsFort Smith City Code § 25-278(c)
The city will collect, haul, and dispose of residential garbage one time per week. Recyclables and yard waste will be collected, hauled, and disposed of every other week, according to a schedule determined by the city administrator or his/her designee.
Looking for Sebastian County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Smith city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Sebastian County →