Trash & Recycling in Long Beach, CA (2026)
8 verified trash & recycling rules for Long Beach, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Long Beach provides refuse collection to approximately 118,000 accounts under LBMC Ch. 8.60. Refuse collection vehicles are prohibited in residential areas between 7 PM and 7 AM. All accounts auto-enrolled in organics/recycling per SB 1383.
Long Beach Trash Pickup Schedules & Rules
Light RestrictionsCalifornia Senate Bill 1383 (Short-Lived Climate Pollutants — Organic Waste Reduction)
This bill would require the state board, no later than January 1, 2018, to approve and begin implementing that comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants to achieve a reduction in methane by 40%, hydrofluorocarbon gases by 40%, and anthropogenic black carbon by 50% below 2013 levels by 2030, as specified. The bill also would establish specified targets for redu...
Bin Placement Rules
New development and remodeled commercial, multifamily and mixed-use sites in Long Beach must enclose trash receptacles on three sides by a solid masonry wall at least five feet six inches tall under LBMC § 21.45.167, with a solid gate and, if visible from the street, a two-foot landscape buffer.
Long Beach Trash Enclosure Screening Standards
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 21.45.167
All required trash receptacles shall be developed according to the following standards:A.Minimum Size. Each trash receptacle area shall have adequate area to contain a size appropriate to the demands of the use and to accommodate separation of materials for recycling.B.Screening. All trash receptacles shall be enclosed on at least three (3) sides by a solid masonry wall of minimum height five f...
Bulk Item Disposal
Long Beach residents can't just leave a mattress or old appliance at the curb. LBMC § 8.60.050(B) requires contacting the Department of Public Works refuse collection service to schedule bulky item pickup before placing tires, large appliances or furniture out, with special service charges billed under §§ 8.60.190 and 8.60.200.
Long Beach Bulky Item Special Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code §§ 8.60.050(B), 8.60.087(A)(3)
B.Accounts requiring special pickup service for bulky items which require special handling such as tires, large appliances and furniture shall contact the Department of Public Works refuse collection service to arrange for pickup prior to placing such items out for collection. Charges for such service shall be implemented and collectable pursuant to Sections 8.60.190 and 8.60.200 of this Munici...
Recycling Requirements
Long Beach mandates recycling under LBMC §8.60.370 (effective Jan 2022) and SB 1383. All accounts are auto-enrolled in organics and recycling. Tenants and employees must be educated on requirements. Inspections ensure compliance.
Long Beach Mandatory Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsCalRecycle Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP) — SB 1383 Organic Waste Regulations
California’s Organic Waste Reduction SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy Landfilled food and other organic waste rotting in landfills emits methane climate pollution contributing to California’s hotter summers, more frequent droughts, and more wildfires. 3 MILLION CARS worth of climate pollution will be cut by reaching SB 1383’s recycling and food rescue targets SB 1383 Pro...
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Long Beach requires every single-family, multifamily and commercial account to separate food scraps and other organic waste into a designated container under LBMC § 8.60.370, part of the City's SB 1383 compliance program effective January 1, 2022. Putting the wrong material in a recycling or organics cart can draw a Notice of Violation and an escalating civil penalty.
Long Beach Mandatory Organic Waste Separation Rules
Significant RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 8.60.370(A)(1)-(2), (I)(5)(a)
A.Requirements for Single-Family Generators. Single Family Organic Waste Generators:1.Shall be automatically enrolled in the City's Organic Waste collection services and shall have the number of receptacles or bins with sufficient capacity necessary to contain their refuse, organics, and recyclables in compliance with City ordinances and the Health and Safety Code. ...2.Shall participate in the...
Illegal Dumping
Long Beach Municipal Code § 8.60.120 bans depositing waste on any public street, public place or private parcel to avoid disposal liability, and bans dumping in someone else's receptacle without written permission. Violators risk administrative citations and permit revocation, enforced by the Director of Public Works and Code Enforcement under Chapter 9.65.
Long Beach Illegal Dumping Ban
Heavy RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 8.60.120
8.60.120 - Illegal dumping prohibited—Permit revocation. A. No person shall transfer the financial liability for refuse disposal by depositing waste of any kind upon any public street, other public place or private parcel, lot, premises, litter receptacle or refuse receptacle thereon. B. No person shall deposit waste of any kind in the receptacle of, or on the premises of a business, residence ...
Yard Waste Collection
Long Beach requires green waste, tree limbs, shrubs, trimmings and grass clippings, to go inside city-issued carts without protruding, per LBMC § 8.60.040. Residents on manual collection routes must instead tie brush into compact bundles capped at four feet long and forty pounds, since loose green waste at the curb isn't guaranteed pickup.
Long Beach Yard Waste & Green Waste Bundling Rules
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 8.60.040
A.Property owners or occupants with automated or semi-automated and commercial collection service shall place all tree limbs, shrubs, trimmings, grass clippings and other items of a similar nature inside the receptacle in such a manner that items do not protrude from the receptacle.B.Property owners or occupants in areas designated by the Director of Public Works for manual collection shall tie...
Dumpster Rules
Commercial and multifamily accounts in Long Beach must use bins meeting City specifications under LBMC § 8.60.025(B), loaded weight capped at 1,250 pounds, four working wheels, a tight lid and address signage at least four inches tall, then set them out per § 8.60.060(D): on a hard, level surface in an alley, or in the gutter with the lifting spindles against the curb.
Long Beach Commercial Dumpster & Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code §§ 8.60.025(B), 8.60.060(D)
B.City-serviced accounts designated by the Director of Public Works for commercial service shall:1.Utilize carts or bins provided by the City or provide, utilize and maintain commercial bins that meet specifications set by the Director of Public Works... 8.Utilize containers that weigh not more than one thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) pounds when loaded... D.3.Commercial bins placed in an im...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Long Beach city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Los Angeles County →