Trash & Recycling in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
8 verified trash & recycling rules for Los Angeles, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
LA Sanitation collects solid waste weekly for single-family homes on a designated day. Recycling is collected on alternating weeks. Organics (green bin) is collected weekly under SB 1383 and City Ordinance 187711. Bins must be curbside by 7 AM. Properties with 5+ units must arrange private hauling through the RecycLA franchise system.
Los Angeles Trash Pickup Schedules & Rules
Some RestrictionsSB 1383 (2016) — Public Resources Code Sec. 42652.5 (Organic Waste Collection Mandate for Local Jurisdictions)
42652.5. (a) The department, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, shall adopt regulations to achieve the organic waste reduction goals for 2020 and 2025 established in Section 39730.6 of the Health and Safety Code. The regulations shall comply with all of the following: (1) May require local jurisdictions to impose requirements on generators or other relevant entities within thei...
Bin Placement Rules
Bins must be placed at the curb with lids fully closed and openings facing the street. Minimum 3-foot clearance from vehicles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, and other obstacles. Bins should not block sidewalks or driveways. Bins must be retrieved the same day after collection. Collection bin placement on private property for donations requires a building permit and certificate of occupancy under LAMC.
Los Angeles Trash Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Residents can schedule free bulky item pickup through MyLA311 or by calling 311. Items include furniture, mattresses, appliances, and e-waste. Leaving bulky items at the curb without a scheduled pickup is illegal dumping. Multi-family properties pay a per-unit bulky item fee ($0.64/unit for separately metered, $1.11 for master-metered) under LAMC 66.41.
Los Angeles Bulk Item Disposal & Pickup
Some RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
California SB 1383 and City Ordinance 187711 mandate organics recycling for all properties. Single-family homes use the three-cart system from LASAN. Properties with 5+ units must provide recycling under LAMC 66.03 through RecycLA franchised haulers. Contamination of recycling bins can result in service warnings. Commercial generators must also comply with AB 341 recycling mandates.
Los Angeles Mandatory Recycling Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsMandatory Organics Recycling
Los Angeles requires every household and business to separate food scraps and yard trimmings into the green bin under California SB-1383 and LAMC §66.27, enforced by the Bureau of Sanitation since the statewide 2022 effective date.
LA Mandates Organic Waste Separation Under SB-1383
Heavy RestrictionsValet Trash Rules
Los Angeles multifamily and commercial properties must use their assigned recycLA franchise hauler under LAMC §66.27 and Ordinance 184245, not independent valet trash vendors, for refuse, recycling, and organics collection citywide.
LA recycLA Franchise Replaces Private Valet Trash Service
Heavy RestrictionsHoliday Pickup Schedule
Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation observes six holidays each year and shifts curbside collection one day later for the rest of the week under LAMC §66.18, with no service on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
LA Trash Pickup Slides One Day After Six Holidays
Few RestrictionsYard Waste Collection
Los Angeles collects yard waste weekly in the green organics bin alongside food scraps under California SB 1383. Branches under 4 feet long and 4 inches diameter go loose in the green bin. Christmas trees are collected curbside the first two weeks of January.
Los Angeles Yard Waste & Green Bin Collection (SB 1383)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Los Angeles city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Los Angeles County →