Trash & Recycling in Irvine, CA (2026)
8 verified trash & recycling rules for Irvine, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Irvine guarantees at least weekly trash pickup for every occupied property and keeps trucks off residential streets late at night: Sec. 6-7-501 bars collection between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and on Sundays, and pushes holiday routes back a day for six named holidays.
Irvine Trash Collection Frequency and Hours
Some RestrictionsIrvine, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6-7-501
Unless otherwise approved by the City Manager, and with the exception of vacant premises meeting the provisions of Section 6-7-301, collections shall occur for all premises at which solid waste is generated not less than once per week. Collection of solid waste shall not be made between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and no collection shall occur on Sundays, unless specifically approved ...
Bin Placement Rules
Irvine caps how long trash, recycling and organics carts can sit at the curb: Sec. 6-7-405(C) bars setting a bin or cart out more than 24 hours before the scheduled pickup and requires it back off the street or right-of-way by noon the day after collection, with curb or alley placement set by Sec. 6-7-405(A).
Irvine Trash Cart Set-Out and Removal Times
Some RestrictionsIrvine, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6-7-405(C)
No bin, cart, other container shall be placed adjacent to or in a street or public right-of-way for collection service more than 24 hours prior to the normal collection time, and all containers so placed shall be removed from the street or right-of-way by noon on the day following collection
Bulk Item Disposal
Furniture and other bulky items that won't fit in a standard cart must be covered and secured. Sec. 6-7-405(D) requires a tarp, netting or similar material to stop debris from scattering, and makes the property owner or occupant responsible for cleaning up anything that spills from an overflowing container.
Irvine Bulky Item and Overflow Waste Rules
Some RestrictionsIrvine, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6-7-405(D)
If the solid waste contained within a bin, cart or other container exceeds the actual capacity of the container, then a larger container or multiple containers must be utilized. Any solid waste that does not reasonably fit within a container (such as furniture or other large bulky items) must be covered and protected, as by a tarp, netting or other secured material, in order to prevent the scat...
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Any Irvine property subscribed to solid waste service must participate in the organics program its hauler offers and sort food scraps and yard waste correctly - skipping the program or contaminating the wrong bin is a declared public nuisance under the Municipal Code.
Irvine Mandatory Organic Waste Recycling
Some RestrictionsIrvine, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6-7-601(C), (D)
C.It is unlawful, and a public nuisance, for any person or entity that subscribes for solid waste handling services with a contractor to fail to participate in the recycling and organic waste programs offered to him, her or it by the contractor.D.It is unlawful, and a public nuisance, for any person or entity that subscribes for solid waste handling services with a contractor to fail to comply ...
Illegal Dumping
Irvine's Municipal Code bars anyone from discarding waste material, household rubbish, garbage or any other refuse, on public or private property anywhere in the city, including streets, alleys, rights-of-way and stormwater inlets. Section 6-8-303(D) also puts a collection duty on the property owner when dumping happens on their land, and the offense is chargeable as either a misdemeanor or an infraction under Title 4, Division 13.
Irvine Illegal Dumping and Litter Control Rules
Some RestrictionsIrvine, CA, Municipal Code § 6-8-303(D); see also §§ 4-13-201, 4-13-202 (penalties)
D. Litter control. No person shall discard any waste material, including, but not limited to, common household rubbish or garbage of any kind (whether generated or accumulated at a residence, business or other location), upon any public or private property, whether occupied, open or vacant, including, but not limited to, any street, sidewalk, alley, right-of-way, open area or point of entry to ...
Yard Waste Collection
Irvine folds yard waste, 'all leaves, grass cuttings and shrubs that accompany routine household or property maintenance functions' under Sec. 6-7-101, into its exclusive franchised hauling system, but Sec. 6-7-601(I)(4) exempts gardeners and landscapers who haul clippings themselves as an incidental part of their service, so residents don't need a separate permit for routine yard work removal.
Irvine Yard Waste Collection Rules
Light RestrictionsIrvine, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6-7-601(I)(4)
The collection, transportation and disposal of yard waste and related solid waste by a gardener or landscaper as an incidental part of the gardening or landscaping services provided to its customers, rather than as a hauling service, provided that such solid waste is not collected or transported by a third party hired for the primary purpose of collecting and transporting said materials, and fu...
Dumpster Rules
Commercial dumpsters, roll-off boxes and compactors in Irvine, defined broadly as 'Bins' under Sec. 6-7-101, must come from the City's contracted hauler, display the owner's name and phone number in three-inch letters on two sides, and be kept in safe, sanitary, good-housekeeping condition under Sec. 6-7-403. Unauthorized bins left in the right-of-way can be tagged and impounded.
Irvine Commercial Dumpster and Bin Rules
Some RestrictionsIrvine, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6-7-403
Containers used for collection at premises other than residential premises receiving curbside service shall be provided by the contractor, and such containers shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Containers shall have the name and the phone number of the owner clearly visible on two sides in letters not less than three inches in height. Containers shall be of a design and size...
Collection Schedule
Irvine requires weekly solid waste collection at every occupied premises through the city's exclusive franchised contractor. Collection cannot happen between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., never on Sundays without City Manager approval, and holiday pickups shift one day later.
Irvine Residential Trash Collection Schedule
Some RestrictionsIrvine, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6-7-501 (Minimum weekly collection)
Unless otherwise approved by the City Manager, and with the exception of vacant premises meeting the provisions of Section 6-7-301, collections shall occur for all premises at which solid waste is generated not less than once per week. Collection of solid waste shall not be made between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and no collection shall occur on Sundays, unless specifically approved ...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Irvine city rules.
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