Trash & Recycling in Harlingen, TX (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for Harlingen, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Bin Placement Rules
Harlingen requires garbage carts out by 6:30 a.m. on collection day and pulled back by 8:00 p.m., set within five feet of the property line clear of obstructions.
Harlingen Trash Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsHarlingen City Code § 38-33
It shall be the duty of the owner to place the garbage container within five feet of the property line where services are being rendered in the alley as to not obstruct service... All garbage bins should be accessible not later than 6:30 a.m. on the day of scheduled collection and retrieved to the side yard or back yard prior to 8:00 p.m. on such day.
Bulk Item Disposal
Harlingen collects heavy bulky waste like furniture and mattresses every 4-6 weeks, capped at two cubic yards per residence.
Harlingen Bulky Item Pickup Rules
Some Restrictions§ 38-29
The city shall provide services for the collection of furniture, mattresses, box springs, water heaters, lumber, and roofing material... Heavy bulky waste collections... shall be restricted to a pile of waste no larger than two cubic yards per month.
Illegal Dumping
Harlingen's City Code § 38-4 makes it unlawful to cast, throw, drop, sweep or deposit garbage or anything offensive to health on any street, alley, sidewalk, park, public place or vacant lot in the city, with disposal allowed only at the city sanitary landfill.
Illegal Dumping Ban in Harlingen
Some RestrictionsCity Code § 38-4
It shall be unlawful for any person...to cast, throw, drop, place, sweep or deposit, or allow to accumulate...any garbage, offal, substance, or anything whatsoever, offensive and deleterious to health, in or upon any street, avenue, alley, roadway, sidewalk, park, or other public place, or vacant lot...within the city, except as provided in this chapter or other provisions of this Code.
Yard Waste Collection
Harlingen collects tree limbs, brush and yard waste once a month at no extra charge, but piles are capped at one brush-truck load and pieces must be cut to 5 feet.
Harlingen Yard Waste and Brush Rules
Some Restrictions§ 38-39
Tree limbs and brush shall be cut in lengths not exceeding five feet and shall be bundled and placed for collection... This service shall not be provided to any vacant lot or unoccupied property within the city... Brush/yard waste collections for all residential category customers shall be restricted to a pile of brush no larger than one brush truck load per month... All loose leaves must be ba...
Dumpster Rules
Commercial and multi-unit lots in Harlingen must enclose their garbage dumpster on private property, with truck access approved by public works.
Harlingen Commercial Dumpster Enclosure Rule
Some RestrictionsHarlingen, TX Code of Ordinances § 38-36(d)
Lots containing more than two residential units, commercial lots, or lots with industrial uses, shall provide a garbage receptacle enclosure within the private property boundary as determined by the public works director or designee.
Collection Schedule
Harlingen bills every household for mandatory twice a week garbage service and fixes collection day at both ends: bins accessible by 6:30 a.m., back in the side or back yard by 8:00 p.m., and set within five feet of the property line where the alley is served.
Harlingen Twice-Weekly Trash Pickup Rules
Some Restrictions§ 38-33
It shall be the duty of the owner to place the garbage container within five feet of the property line where services are being rendered in the alley as to not obstruct service... All garbage bins should be accessible not later than 6:30 a.m. on the day of scheduled collection and retrieved to the side yard or back yard prior to 8:00 p.m. on such day.
Looking for Cameron County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Harlingen city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Cameron County →