Trash & Recycling in Portsmouth, VA (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Portsmouth, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Portsmouth collects household garbage and trash once a week, and Chapter 16 sets exact preparation rules for what reaches the curb. Cartons are flattened and tied in bundles of 25 pounds or less, only four tires per 12 months are taken before a $25.00 charge per extra tire applies, and white goods go out empty with the door removed. Industrial waste, construction debris, hazardous waste and large dead animals are never collected.
Portsmouth VA Trash Pickup Preparation Rules
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code §§ 16-34(e)-(f), 16-39
(e) Tires. Tires shall be placed as close to the curb as possible or between the sidewalk and the curb in accordance with section 16-36 . A limit of four tires per 12-month period shall be collected. If more than four tires are placed out for collection within any 12-month period the property owner or occupant of the property shall be subject to a charge of $25.00 per additional tire and the pr...
Bin Placement Rules
Portsmouth residents on automated collection must use the city-furnished container, put it out no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before pickup, and pull it back by evening of collection day, placed as near the curb as possible.
Portsmouth Garbage Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code §§ 16-32, 16-37
(a) For areas receiving automated refuse and recycling collection it shall be unlawful for garbage or trash to be set out for collection unless the same is placed in an approved container furnished by the city. [...] All garbage, trash, paper, corrugated cartons, paper or pasteboard boxes, and other waste, to be removed by the city under this article shall be placed on the sidewalk as near to t...
Bulk Item Disposal
Portsmouth collects bulk refuse from residential dwellings only by appointment, booked in advance by telephone or internet under procedures set by the director of public works. Brush must be cut to lengths of four to six feet and stacked in a pile no larger than six feet by six feet by six feet. Bulk waste set out without an appointment must come in within 24 hours of notice, or a fine of $500 to $1,000 per occurrence applies.
Portsmouth Bulk Refuse Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 16-35
Bulk refuse shall be picked up from residential dwellings by appointment scheduled in advance by telephone or internet in a manner established by the director, and in accordance with such procedures as may be established by the director. ... shall be cut into lengths of between four feet and six feet and stacked neatly at curbside in a pile not to exceed six feet by six feet by six feet in heig...
Recycling Requirements
In Portsmouth, Virginia, households on automated refuse and recycling collection must set garbage and trash out in the approved container the city furnishes, and the director of public works decides which container type each area gets. Carts go to the curb after 5:00 p.m. the day before collection and by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, and come back off the curb by that evening.
Portsmouth Recycling Cart and Set-Out Rules
Some RestrictionsSec. 16-32(a), (c); Sec. 16-36(b)
For areas receiving automated refuse and recycling collection it shall be unlawful for garbage or trash to be set out for collection unless the same is placed in an approved container furnished by the city. ... The type of containers required in each area shall be determined by the director. ... Normally, in the areas receiving automated refuse and recycling collection, residents may place the ...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping trash, refuse or debris on public property or on private property without the owner's written consent is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Portsmouth, punishable by a fine of $250 to $2,500 and up to 12 months in jail, or community service in lieu of confinement.
Portsmouth Illegal Dumping Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 16-5
Sec. 16-5. - Dumping trash, refuse, garbage, debris or other unsightly matter prohibited. (a)Any person shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor who shall dump or otherwise dispose of trash, garbage, refuse, debris or other unsightly matter on any public property, including a public highway or right-of-way and property adjacent to such highway or right-of-way, or on private property in the city...
Yard Waste Collection
Portsmouth requires yard waste in automated-collection areas to go out in clear plastic bags of no more than 40 gallons or 25 pounds each, capped at 20 bags per collection, with oversized material treated as bulk refuse.
Portsmouth Yard Waste Bagging Limits
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 16-32(b)
(b) In areas receiving automated refuse collection, as defined in section 16-1, yard waste must be set out for collection placed in clear plastic bags. Such bags must not exceed 40 gallons or 25 pounds each. Customers are limited to 20 bags per collection. Customers shall not mix any other form of trash, refuse or garbage with yard waste. Yard waste too bulky to be placed in clear plastic bags ...
Dumpster Rules
Portsmouth requires dumpsters serving mobile home parks, multifamily, commercial and industrial developments to sit at least 50 feet from any residential structure, 5 feet off the property line, on a paved pad, and screened from view.
Portsmouth Commercial Dumpster Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 16-10
(a) Refuse containers such as dumpsters or other approved receptacles shall be required for mobile home parks and for multifamily, commercial and industrial developments. The number, size, design, and location of such containers shall be approved by the director or his designee. (b) Refuse containers shall be located on a site so that service vehicles will have a convenient access to them while...
Collection Schedule
Portsmouth collects household garbage and trash from residences one time each week. In areas with automated refuse and recycling service, the container can go to the curb after 5:00 p.m. the day before collection and must be there by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. It has to be gone from the collection site by that evening.
Portsmouth Weekly Trash Collection and Set-Out Times
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 16-36
(a) Garbage and household trash accumulated at residences shall be collected by the city one time each week, except when otherwise designated by the city manager or his designee. (b) Normally, in the areas receiving automated refuse and recycling collection, residents may place the container for collection at any time after 5:00 p.m. the day before and by 7:00 a.m. on days of collection or as s...
Recycling Rules
Any person or business in Portsmouth that recycles solid waste, whether by selling it, donating it, or reprocessing it locally, must file an annual report with the city's director of general operations covering January through December, due within 30 days after the year ends. Skipping the report is a class 1 misdemeanor.
Portsmouth Annual Recycling Report Requirement
Some RestrictionsSec. 16-172(a), (c)
(a)Any person located within the city who recycles solid waste shall submit an annual report to the director of general operations of the city or his designee. Each report shall cover the 12-month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31. Each report required hereunder shall be submitted not later than 30 days following the close of the 12-month period. ... (c)Each annual report requir...