Trash & Recycling in Indianapolis, IN (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for Indianapolis, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Single-family residents who want city trash pickup must prepare and set out solid waste according to Department of Public Works rules, or it won't be collected.
Indianapolis: Set Out Trash Per DPW Rules
Some RestrictionsCode of Indianapolis & Marion County Sec. 601-3 (Code 1975, § 13-3)
Any person accumulating residential solid waste on any single-family residence owned or controlled by him, and desiring such solid waste to be collected and removed by the city or persons under contract with or licensed by the city, shall prepare and set out such solid waste according to the rules and regulations promulgated by the department of public works. Residential solid waste prepared an...
Bin Placement Rules
Indianapolis occupants must set out residential solid waste in containers or dumpsters meeting Department of Public Works specifications and place them where city collectors can reach them, per Code Sec. 601-4. Waste left curbside for pickup under Sec. 601-3 is legally presumed abandoned, and the division of property and land use services enforces the chapter.
Indianapolis Trash Cart Placement and Container Rules
Some RestrictionsCode of Indianapolis & Marion County, Sec. 601-3, 601-4 (Code 1975, §§ 13-3, 13-4)
Any person accumulating residential solid waste on any single-family residence owned or controlled by him, and desiring such solid waste to be collected and removed by the city or persons under contract with or licensed by the city, shall prepare and set out such solid waste according to the rules and regulations promulgated by the department of public works. Residential solid waste prepared an...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping solid waste on someone else's Indianapolis property without permission is unlawful under Code Sec. 601-2(a), and violators face a minimum $500 fine plus reimbursement of city cleanup costs. Dump hazardous waste and the fine rises to at least $1,000, and the court must impound the hauling vehicle for 10 to 90 days.
Indianapolis Illegal Dumping Fines and Impoundment
Heavy RestrictionsCode of Indianapolis & Marion County Sec. 601-2(a),(d) (Code 1975, § 13-2; G.O. 63, 2009, § 53; G.O. 41, 2016, § 2; G.O. 38, 2025, § 1)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit or place upon real estate owned by another any solid waste without the approval of the owner or lessee of such real estate.... (d)Any person who violates this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and an order for such persons to reimburse each appropriate city department for its reasonable costs i...
Yard Waste Collection
Indianapolis owners and occupants must dispose of leaves on their own property each year, either by burning under Air Pollution Control Board rules or through private removal, per Code Sec. 601-5. Sweeping leaves into a street, alley or gutter is unlawful, while normal yard trimmings can otherwise go out with regular residential solid waste collection.
Indianapolis Leaf and Yard Waste Disposal Rules
Some RestrictionsCode of Indianapolis & Marion County Sec. 601-5 (Code 1975, § 13-5)
Owners and occupants of premises shall dispose of the leaves on their own premises each year, either by burning as provided by the air pollution control board or shall otherwise dispose of all leaves on such private premises by arranging for their removal, but in no event shall leaves be swept into any street, alley or gutter.
Dumpster Rules
Commercial, industrial, institutional and multifamily properties in Indianapolis must screen garbage dumpsters, grease tanks, recycling bins and cardboard compactors from public streets, per Zoning Ordinance Sec. 744-508.B. Dumpsters can't sit in the front yard and must carry a lid or roofed enclosure, with narrow exceptions for small residential carts and active building permits.
Indianapolis Commercial Dumpster Screening Rules
Some RestrictionsThe Zoning Ordinance of Indianapolis-Marion County, Ch. 744, Sec. 744-508.B.1.a-c (G.O. 64, 2015, § 2)
1.General requirement. These standards shall apply to all exterior areas containing without limitation garbage dumpsters, grease/oil tanks, recycling bins and cardboard compactors, on all properties containing multifamily dwelling, commercial, institutional, industrial or mixed-uses.a.In all Districts, non-enclosed service areas and off-street loading areas shall be screened when viewed from gr...
Collection Schedule
Indianapolis provides curbside solid waste collection only to single-family residences and condominiums (four units or fewer). Since February 1, 1995, structures with five or more residential units get no city pickup and must contract with a private hauler. Residents prepare waste per Department of Public Works rules and set-out is presumed abandoned once collected.
Indianapolis City Trash Pickup Excludes Multifamily
Some RestrictionsCode of Indianapolis & Marion County Sec. 601-12 (Code 1975, § 13-12), with Sec. 601-1 and Sec. 601-3
Sec. 601-12. - Services for multifamily residences. Effective February 1, 1995, multifamily residences shall not receive collection service from the city. (Code 1975, § 13-12) ... Sec. 601-1: "Multifamily residence means a structure containing five (5) or more residential units, and does not include condominiums." "Single-family residence means a condominium or a structure containing four (4) o...