Trash & Recycling in Pontiac, MI (2026)
7 verified trash & recycling rules for Pontiac, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Pontiac's Department of Public Works runs residential refuse collection from dedicated street rights-of-way under City Code § 94-27(b), following a regulation and schedule the Director issues. The Director may also authorize collection from other locations when the public interest calls for it, with rules tailored to that particular situation.
Pontiac Curbside Refuse Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsPontiac City Code § 94-27(b)
(b) The City shall make residential refuse collections from within the limits of dedicated street rights-of-way in accordance with regulations and schedule issued by the Director of Public Works. The Director of Public Works or his designee may designate or authorize residential refuse collections and commercial garbage collections from other locations when in his judgment the public interes...
Bin Placement Rules
Pontiac households using City-provided curbside refuse collection must put the 105-gallon cart at the curb no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the night before pickup and by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, per City Code § 94-26(b). Carts must come back off the curb by 7:00 p.m. that same day and then be stored out of public view under § 94-26(g).
Pontiac Refuse Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsPontiac City Code § 94-26(b), (g)
(b) The owner, agent, lessee, tenant and/or occupant of any house, or apartment of four or less units, who uses the City-of-Pontiac-provided curbside refuse collection services, shall use the City-provided 105-gallon refuse cart for storage on the premises between weekly curbside collections. ... The user of the City-provided curbside refuse collection services shall place the City-provided ref...
Bulk Item Disposal
Pontiac's curbside program does not collect bulky waste matter such as tree stumps, large tree branches, construction debris, or vehicle parts, as defined in City Code § 94-1. Under § 94-27(d), a resident whose waste does not qualify for City collection because of its weight, volume, or type must arrange private removal on a weekly basis or as the Director of Public Works directs.
Pontiac Bulky Waste Disposal Duty
Some RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 94-1, 94-27(d)
Waste matter means tree stumps and tree branches over two inches in diameter; construction materials such as stones, bricks, concrete, plaster, lumber, shingles, sand, gravel, asphalt, and earth; vehicles or large parts of vehicles; dangerous materials which are radioactive, toxic, highly inflammable, acid, caustic, explosive, or hazardous; excrement; dead animals; and other items which are imp...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping or removing earth or other material on any property in the City of Pontiac without the landowner's express written permission is banned under City Code Section 86-223, and the ban reaches the vehicle owner even when someone else was driving. A conviction carries a fine of between $300.00 and $500.00, up to 90 days in jail, or both, plus discretionary community service, and the Police Department, Building Department and Department of Public Works all investigate complaints.
Pontiac Illegal Dumping Penalties
Significant RestrictionsPontiac City Code § 86-223
Earth or other materials shall not be dumped, placed on or removed from any premises unless the express, written permission of the owner of such land is obtained and exhibited on request of the enforcing officer by the operator of the vehicle used for loading, transporting or dumping such material. Such permission shall be subject to zoning regulations and to the requirement that no nuisance sh...
Yard Waste Collection
Pontiac defines yard waste as leaves, grass clippings, small plant clippings, and brush two inches or less in diameter and four feet or less in length under City Code § 94-1. Households on the City's curbside program must store it in approved 10-to-35-gallon containers and set it at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day under § 94-26(c) and (d).
Pontiac Yard Waste Container Rules
Some RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 94-1, 94-26(c)-(d)
Yard waste means leaves, grass clippings, small plant clippings, and brush that is two inches or less in diameter and four feet or less in length. ... (c) The owner, agent, lessee, tenant and/or occupant of any house, or apartment of four or less units where yard waste is generated, shall provide containers no less than ten-gallon or more than 35-gallon in capacity, of the type approved by t...
Dumpster Rules
Pontiac's Zoning Ordinance requires every commercial dumpster and trash receptacle area to be screened from view. Section 4.408(A) calls for a masonry wall on at least three sides, matching the height of the receptacle, with a gate on the fourth side, and directs that the location minimize visibility from the right-of-way and neighboring properties.
Dumpster Screening Rules in Pontiac's Zoning Code
Some RestrictionsPontiac Zoning Ordinance § 4.408(A)-(B)
4.408 Loading, Storage, and Service Area Screening Requirements. A. Service Area Screening. Trash receptacle or dumpster areas shall be indicated on-site plans, and shall be screened on at least three sides with a masonry wall at least equal to the height of the trash receptacle with a gate on the fourth side. In locating trash receptacle facilities, primary consideration shall be given to a...
Collection Schedule
The City of Pontiac provides weekly residential refuse collection to every house and four-unit-or-less apartment under City Code § 94-27(a), though use is not mandatory. A resident who wants to opt out must reapply every year with proof of a paid private contract, a returned City cart, and a compliant container.
Pontiac Residential Refuse Service Rules
Some RestrictionsPontiac City Code § 94-27(a)
(a) The City shall provide residential refuse collection services available for use by all residential houses, or apartments of four or less units where residential refuse is generated, but not for mobile home parks. The City provided refuse collection services may be provided by the City or by the City contracting with a waste contractor acceptable to the City; provided, however, that nothi...
Looking for Oakland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pontiac city rules.
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